Dutch Pulmonologists Demand Funding for RS-virus Vaccination

Respiratory syncytial virus pushes thousands of elderly patients into hospitals every winter, prompting pulmonary specialists to demand public funding for preventative immunizations.

Key Clinical Takeaways:
• Three vaccines—Arexvy, Abrysvo, and mRESVIA—are registered in Europe to train the immune system against the virus with a single dose.
• The Health Council recommended vaccination in March 2025 for individuals aged 75 and older, alongside high-risk groups and nursing home residents aged 60 to 75.

While the respiratory syncytial virus typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms that resolve within one to two weeks, it can invade the lower respiratory tract and trigger severe pneumonia. Roughly 70,000 people visit a general practitioner annually in the Netherlands due to the infection, and about 6,000 to 7,000 hospital admissions are associated with the virus. Chronic conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, and diabetes increase these risks.

Pulmonologists speaking to ANP highlighted the heavy toll on hospital resources. Chantal Kroesse, a pulmonologist at the Ikazia Hospital in Rotterdam, stated that her department sees roughly 80 lung patients with the virus every winter, with three-quarters facing extended stays.

Those patients spent 1,093 days in the hospital over a three-year period, including 91 days in intensive care. After securing coverage from one health insurer to vaccinate severe lung patients, Kroesse reported that hospitalizations dropped from 95 in 2025 to 34 so far.

Preventative options currently carry an out-of-pocket cost of approximately 200 euros, excluding administration fees. Susanne Huijts of the infectious diseases section at the NVALT pulmonology association noted that the vaccines demonstrate high effectiveness.

American trials cited by Huijts indicate that the shots prevent over 80 percent of hospitalizations. Correspondingly, RIVM data shows that vaccination prevents roughly eight out of ten hospitalizations and deaths among adults over 60 with healthy immune systems, and seven out of ten for those with compromised immunity.

Other nations have already integrated the immunization into public health frameworks. Germany began funding the shot for adults over 75 and vulnerable individuals over 60 in late 2024, while England provides free access for adults aged 75 and older and nursing home residents via the National Health Service.

In the Netherlands, infants became eligible for an RSV immunization via the national vaccination program last autumn, leading to a drop in pediatric intensive care admissions from 222 to 87 during the following season.

National health authorities have delayed a universal program while monitoring the duration of protection. The Health Council previously advised targeting individuals aged 75 and older, as well as high-risk patients and nursing home residents aged 60 to 75, but Zorginstituut Nederland declined to reimburse the Arexvy vaccine last year due to insufficient data on added value for risk groups.

Responding to calls from medical professionals for inclusion in the drug reimbursement system, Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport Hermans said: “Ik snap heel goed dat artsen oproepen deze middelen op te nemen in het geneesmiddelenvergoedingssysteem.

Als minister van Volksgezondheid is het mijn taak om het beschikbare zorggeld zo eerlijk en effectief mogelijk te gebruiken voor álle patiënten in Nederland.” Hermans added that Zorginstituut Nederland conducts independent evaluations, and decisions regarding program inclusion will follow the upcoming advice. Meanwhile, the RIVM reported on November 4 that current virus circulation remains low as the season gets underway.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.