Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) will take to examine all Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) technologies before deciding to offer Nirsevimab to newborn babies.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subcommittee is expecting, over a series of meetings, to consider the range of products that are in later stages of development aimed at preventing RSV in young children and older adults, including those approaching licensure. Manufacturers will be invited to the subcommittee meetings to present their data. Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) has been prioritised for consideration as this product is now licensed.

The subcommittee will provide its advice to the main JCVI committee which will be ultimately responsible in making any recommendations with respect to the use of these products in the national immunisation programme, once it is content it has reviewed the necessary evidence to do this. Advice will depend on the timelines for potential licensure and the Committee having the necessary information on the safety, efficacy, burden, impact and cost-effectiveness of the products to inform the considerations for their use in the UK immunisation programme.

The JCVI will also consult with NHS England, the Department, United Kingdom Health Security Agency and the devolved administrations on potential timelines for implementation of any potential programmes which will also depend on supply and timelines for procurement.