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Research begins in the West of England to tackle RSV infections in infants

Press release issued: 12 October 2022

GP practices and NHS Trusts across the West of England will play a vital role in a new respiratory virus study looking into the leading cause of infant hospitalisation.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is one of the leading causes of hospitalisation in all infants worldwide and affects 90% of children before the age of two. In recent months, there has been a resurgence of RSV following the easing of COVID-19 public health measures. 

The groundbreaking HARMONIE study will take place at ten sites in the region and is a collaboration between Sanofi, its partner AstraZeneca, and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study is evaluating the efficacy of nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody immunisation, in protecting against one of the leading causes of infant hospitalisation worldwide. RSV often causes only mild illnesses, like a cold. However, for some babies, it leads to more severe lung problems such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. 

More than 20,000 infants across three countries (United Kingdom, France and Germany) will take part in the study, from August 2022 to March 2023. 

Dr. Anu Goenka, Principal Investigator for the study at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is a pleasure to offer parents across Bristol the opportunity to enrol their babies into the HARMONIE study. The study is looking at whether a single injection can protect babies from severe infection caused by RSV. RSV is important because it is the commonest cause of hospital admission in healthy infants by causing severe chest infections called bronchiolitis. We invite parents to support this study which we hope will pave the way for improving the health of babies across the UK and beyond.”

 Read the full NIHR Clinical Research Network West of England new item

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