Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to introduce (1) antiviral drugs, and (2) a vaccine, to address Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

The monoclonal antibody palivizumab is currently offered by the National Health Service each winter to high-risk children for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention, in line with guidance from the Joint Community on Vaccines and Immunisation (JCVI).

In addition, there are several RSV vaccines and monoclonal immunisations in phase three trials, from maternity and infancy to older adults. There are also antiviral treatments for RSV in clinical development, including an antiviral treatment by Enanta Pharmaceuticals. Manufacturers are encouraged to provide information to the UK Health Security Agency and the JCVI as it becomes available, which are monitoring development of these trials. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for the approval of new vaccines and treatments.