ReSViNET's global conference on RSV prevention and therapeutic interventions
Last month, our partner organisation ReSViNET hosted its annual conference in Rome: the RSVVW’26 conference, a Global Conference on Novel RSV Preventive and Therapeutic Interventions.
Around 800 participants from across the world attended the conference, among them were researchers, clinicians, patient representatives, policymakers and other stakeholders working to advance RSV prevention and care.
The programme addressed RSV across the life course, including its impact on older adults, and covered topics ranging from epidemiology and microbiology to global health perspectives. The conference also created valuable opportunities for dialogue and collaboration within the global RSV community.
Patient representatives played an important role in the programme. One of the speakers, Rachael Thomas, shared her personal experience with RSV. Stories like these highlight the real-world impact of the virus and reinforce why continued research, prevention and awareness remain essential.
Raising awareness of the possible long-term consequences of severe RSV infections in early life remains a key priority for both parents and healthcare professionals.
Understanding these long-term effects is also a central focus of the CLARITY project, where researchers investigate how early-life RSV infections may contribute to chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma.
Meetings like this help strengthen collaboration across disciplines and ensure that ongoing research remains closely connected to patient experiences and clinical practice.