Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of infant hospitalisation in the UK. This study, published in the International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care (2025), explores how preventing RSV through immunisation could also reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint.
Applying our care pathway guidance, the authors mapped the emissions of a universal immunisation programme using nirsevimab, a single-dose antibody, compared with current standard of care. They then estimated the emissions avoided through fewer GP visits, A&E attendances and hospital admissions.
The study estimates that immunising all UK infants could avoid around 22 kilotonnes of CO2e a year, roughly 30 kg per infant. Most of the savings come from reduced hospitalisations. The authors note that the emissions from manufacturing and distributing the medicine weren’t included, and would need to be considered for a full picture.
The findings show how prevention can benefit patients, NHS capacity and the environment, and how a care pathway approach can capture impacts that a product-only assessment would miss.
The study was funded by Sanofi and AstraZeneca.
