New report published: Consolidating infant rsv prophylaxis – evidence and policy guidance for European health systems.
10 February 2026
The European Health Management Association (EHMA) is pleased to announce the publication of its new policy report, ‘Consolidating Infant RSV Prophylaxis: Evidence and Recommendations from Phase I & Phase II Evaluations.’ This report synthesises quantitative and qualitative evidence on the introduction of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis across multiple European health systems.
RSV is a major seasonal driver of acute healthcare demand, particularly during winter months, disproportionately affecting infants and placing recurrent pressure on paediatric wards, intensive-care units and emergency departments. The report offers the first systematic, cross-country analysis of operational impacts, workforce effects and implementation readiness following the early adoption of monoclonal-antibody-based prophylaxis in real-world health settings.
EHMA’s findings show that, where RSV prophylaxis has been deployed at scale, health systems have realised measurable relief of seasonal pressure, improvements in patient flow, and reductions in acute-care bottlenecks. These effects were broadly consistent across countries and professional roles, indicating immediate operational benefits in settings where direct RSV burden had historically been concentrated.
From a workforce perspective, the analysis highlights that prophylaxis moderated seasonal workload intensity without destabilising staffing structures. Healthcare professionals reported improvements in shift organisation and reductions in service saturation, alongside positive effects on professional wellbeing, all achieved without systematic increases in personnel requirements.
The report also assesses system readiness for prophylaxis integration. The infrastructural and regulatory environments were generally well-aligned with delivery requirements, enabling timely integration into routine care pathways. However, evidence indicates that societal-facing capacities, including communication, public awareness and caregiver understanding, lag behind technical delivery readiness, and represent the principal barriers to sustained and equitable uptake.
Overall, the evidence points to a clear asymmetry between domains governed by institutional control and those dependent on behavioural engagement outside clinical settings. In response, the report articulates two interlinked sets of actionable recommendations.
By combining robust delivery systems with tailored engagement strategies, we argue that European health systems can convert existing operational readiness into sustainable and equitable utilisation of infant RSV prophylaxis.
EHMA encourages health system leaders, managers, policymakers and professional networks to explore the full report and consider its recommendations when designing seasonal prophylaxis policies, workforce planning strategies and public communication frameworks.
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What our Members say
I have been active in EHMA since the first years of the '90s and I have seen its evolution from a small association of members interested in sharing knowledge on health management practices to the current status of reference and advisory key player for EU, health systems and organisations, stakeholders associations, industry and universities. EHMA is now a unique knowledge hub, policy advisor, community of practice and network of best in class organisations involved in health policy and management. A place where health managers can build their competences, policy-makers and stakeholder associations envision how to implement and sustain change through health management, industry leaders understand how to engage more effectively with health organisations and systems. The right place to nurture and grow health management capabilities and capacity for every stakeholder of health systems.
Prof. Federico Lega, University of Milan, Italy
Health management has a crucial function in shaping public health and health system challenges. The Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria had success in collaborating with EHMA on EU-funded projects that has resourced us to create new health management competencies for the future workforce. In addition to all classical definitions, health management is a science dealing with individuals, groups, and society at large. It is an art contributing to the beauty of our lives and an interactive communication process at all levels of institutions and human energy. I have also had the pleasure to chair the South Eastern European Special Interest Group which gives members a space to discuss and tools to address how health systems are managed in our regions.
Prof. Todorka Kostadinova, Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria
I enjoy the high level of interaction and engagement in EHMA’s activities, in particular during the annual conference where the panel discussions are rich and well prepared. As a hospital manager and professor of health management, EHMA motivates and inspires me to be creative. You go back home feeling energised from seeing old friends and making new connections, as well as being convinced of serving as EHMA’s ambassador. It’s a strong feeling of interdisciplinary engagement, but it also feels like being part of family-like community.
Prof. Sandra C. Buttigieg, University of Malta, Malta
EHMA is a pre-eminent organisation for everyone working in planning, managing and delivering health services across Europe. As a long standing member of EHMA I have always been impressed by the vibrant community of managers, researchers and academics it has created and by the many opportunities for sharing knowledge and funding opportunities it has brought to its members. Its international scope is impressive and its impact is often felt in management and research across European and national health systems.
Prof. Axel Kaehne, Edge Hill University, UK
Health workforce has become more essential in operating, managing and maintaining health systems lately, particularly in crisis and emergency situations. European healthcare professions and the workforce need to be high on the agenda of managers and decision makers. The Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University in Hungary is a longstanding EHMA member, because it connects us with collaborators and experts, with whom we can have complex debates, from whom we can learn and at the end find solutions in various challenging fields of healthcare management.
Dr Eszter Kovács, Health Services Management Training Centre, Semmelweis University, Hungary
As a hospital administrator and health management professor, I see on a daily basis that the healthcare challenges require talented and skilled managers to transform it. the EHMA membership has been beneficial to bring healthcare management research and education to the demanding healthcare services world, promoting healthcare management competencies and knowledge creation.
Dr Alexandre Lourenco, APAH - Association of Portuguese Hospital Managers, Portugal
Many healthcare systems in Europe and beyond are facing similar challenges which require innovative and creative solutions. EHMA’s annual conference, webinars, Programme Directors’ group and other activities and resources provide incredible opportunities for networking, connecting and sharing experiences. A distinct feature of EHMA is the diversity of members with representation from many countries, sectors and different communities of practice – academic, policy-makers, practitioners, managers, leaders and students. The annual conference is a highlight in the calendar year, offering a friendly, fun and learningful environment for emerging and established members to engage, collaborate and meet up with old and new friends. I am proud to be a member of the EHMA Board.
Prof. Ann Mahon, University of Manchester, UK
Society evolution, pandemics and ageing modify health needs. So, health policies and services are to change dramatically. EHMA, through webinars, workshops and annual conference provides an excellent insight to a professional changing world, favouring closeness to management innovation and the protagonists of these changes. As a primary care services’ manager, participating in EHMA activities is really worth it and allows to involve oneself in the innovation processes.
Dr Antoni Peris Grao, Consorci Castelldefels Agents de Salut (CASAP), Spain