Moderna has agreed a contract with the European Commission (EC) that will see tens of millions of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine doses accessible to member countries in time for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Upon the request of six unnamed countries, the EC signed a joint procurement framework contract with Moderna to access up to 24 million doses of the mRNA-based mRESVIA, with no minimum order required. The contract will run for a period of up to four years.
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Moderna’s mRESVIA was approved in Europe for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older in August 2024. The vaccine has also been available to younger age groups who are at increased risk of RSV-induced disease. Earlier this year, a European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee recommended that the license be expanded to include all adults aged 18 years and older, meaning the jab’s use could significantly expand.
This vaccine protects against diseases of the lungs, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, caused by RSV in adults. mRESVIA delivers genetic instructions to cells so they can synthesise an inert form of the virus. Once the system recognises this protein, it produces protective antibodies.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that causes mild, cold-like symptoms. While most people usually recover in around a week without the need for medical treatment, RSV can cause severe illness and death in more vulnerable groups such as older adults. Over 156,000 adults are hospitalised in Europe each year due to the virus.
According to the EC, the procurement is an important step in reducing the burden on healthcare services, especially during the winter season when RSV cases – and other infectious diseases – are at their highest. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has maintained the importance of immunisation in vulnerable population groups.
Wider access to a preventative vaccine also reduces antibiotic consumption, lowering the number of patients who are prescribed antibiotics unnecessarily or as a precaution. Combatting antimicrobial resistance is a key target of the EMA.
Hadja Lahbib, European commissioner for equality, preparedness and crisis management, said: “With today’s joint procurement for an RSV vaccine, we are helping member states to enhance their preparedness against this serious virus before the upcoming winter season. This will protect the most vulnerable and reduce the pressure that respiratory infections place on our hospitals during the winter months. Being prepared today means saving lives when the next peak season arrives.”
The EC’s procurement of mRESVIA contrasts with a more hesitant approach in the US, where there have been significant policy shifts to reduce reliance on mRNA-based products. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) widened mRESVIA’s use to all adults at increased risk of lower tract respiratory disease (LRTD) caused by RSV in June 2025. However, it has still not been recommended for all adults regardless of disease risk.
Moderna’s main competitors in the RSV space are GSK’s Arexvy and Pfizer’s Abrysvo, which remain the top-selling RSV vaccines globally.
