Sign in Subscribe
COVID-19

COVID-19 Research Highlights Importance of Vaccination for Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza in Low-Middle Income Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has shed light on the burden of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza among young children in low-middle income countries (LMICs). The study, which took place from June 2022-2023 in rural West Bengal, India, found that RSV was the most common virus detected in children admitted with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), followed by influenza and SARS-CoV-2. The research highlights the need for diagnostics to guide vaccination, reduce antibiotic use, and improve indoor air quality for alleviating the SARI burden in rural settings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Of the 1842 children admitted with SARI, 77% (1419) were between 1 and 24 months, and 21 required intensive care, with 3 deaths reported.
  • The majority of mothers (83.7%) were vaccinated against COVID-19, but none against influenza, pertussis, or RSV.
  • Viruses were detected in 44% (84/191) of the sampled children, with RSV being the most common at 31.6% (60/190), followed by influenza at 6.3% (12/190), and SARS-CoV-2 at 1% (2/191).
  • Influenza subtypes included influenza A/H3 (6/16), A/H1N1pdm (5/16), Influenza B (4/16), and Influenza C (1/16).
  • RSV peaked during autumn, influenza during winter and monsoon, and influenza was more common in infants.

Statistics:

  • 77% of children admitted with SARI were between 1 and 24 months (1419/1842).
  • 31.6% of sampled children had RSV (60/190).
  • 6.3% of sampled children had influenza (12/190).
  • 1% of sampled children had SARS-CoV-2 (2/191).
  • 44% of sampled children had viruses detected (84/191).
  • 21 children required intensive care, and 3 deaths were reported.

Sources:

  • Epidemiology and surveillance of influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 in children admitted with severe acute respiratory infection in West bengal, India from 2022 to 2023. BMC Infectious Diseases, 2025,25(1):1-18. (BMC Infectious Diseases - http://bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com).
  • NewsRx. Research on COVID-19 Discussed by Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (Epidemiology and surveillance of influenza, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 in children admitted with severe acute respiratory infection in West bengal, India from ...). Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA. September 14, 2025; p 236.

Read more