Implementing Maternal Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination in South Africa: Assessing Healthcare Workers’ Capacity and Preparedness
1
1 Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2
2 Vaccines for Africa Initiative, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town , Vaccines for Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
3
3 Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital,, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
4
4 National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) Support Hub (NISH), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town , Vaccines for Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2334
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality with the greatest burden in countries like South Africa where access to timely care can be limited. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved the maternal RSV vaccine which protects infants, with national implementation imminent. Successful implementation will require a well capacitated health workforce. To guide national implementation, we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Cape Town regarding RSV and the maternal RSV vaccine.
METHODS:
Using a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study design, we recruited HCWs from 11 primary, secondary, and tertiary maternal and child health facilities. Data on their understanding of infant RSV infection and importance of maternal vaccination were collected using a structured REDCap-based questionnaire survey. A subset of HCWs also participated in qualitative interviews to further explore perceived barriers and facilitators of implementing maternal RSV vaccination. Survey responses were analyzed using RStudio (version: 2024.12.1+563), while interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using NVivo 15 software.
RESULTS:
Among 326 HCWs surveyed, most did not know about RSV (73.3%, n=239), the availability of a maternal RSV vaccine (56.0%, n=183), or when it should be administered (74.0%, n=241). Midwives (aPR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.11–0.47) and nurses (aPR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.37) were less likely than doctors to have adequate knowledge. Overall, HCWs had very positive attitudes with 81.0% (n=264) supporting national implementation of the RSV vaccine. Perceived barriers to implementation included vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and limited awareness, while HCW training emerged as an important facilitator.
CONCLUSIONS:
Critical knowledge gaps suggest HCWs are not adequately capacitated to drive successful implementation of maternal RSV vaccination in South Africa. Prioritizing HCW preparedness through tailored training alongside intensive social mobilization will be essential to support confident vaccine recommendations, drive acceptance and uptake, and maximize public health impact.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality with the greatest burden in countries like South Africa where access to timely care can be limited. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved the maternal RSV vaccine which protects infants, with national implementation imminent. Successful implementation will require a well capacitated health workforce. To guide national implementation, we assessed knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Cape Town regarding RSV and the maternal RSV vaccine.
METHODS:
Using a mixed-methods, cross-sectional study design, we recruited HCWs from 11 primary, secondary, and tertiary maternal and child health facilities. Data on their understanding of infant RSV infection and importance of maternal vaccination were collected using a structured REDCap-based questionnaire survey. A subset of HCWs also participated in qualitative interviews to further explore perceived barriers and facilitators of implementing maternal RSV vaccination. Survey responses were analyzed using RStudio (version: 2024.12.1+563), while interview transcripts were thematically analyzed using NVivo 15 software.
RESULTS:
Among 326 HCWs surveyed, most did not know about RSV (73.3%, n=239), the availability of a maternal RSV vaccine (56.0%, n=183), or when it should be administered (74.0%, n=241). Midwives (aPR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.11–0.47) and nurses (aPR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.04–0.37) were less likely than doctors to have adequate knowledge. Overall, HCWs had very positive attitudes with 81.0% (n=264) supporting national implementation of the RSV vaccine. Perceived barriers to implementation included vaccine hesitancy, misinformation, and limited awareness, while HCW training emerged as an important facilitator.
CONCLUSIONS:
Critical knowledge gaps suggest HCWs are not adequately capacitated to drive successful implementation of maternal RSV vaccination in South Africa. Prioritizing HCW preparedness through tailored training alongside intensive social mobilization will be essential to support confident vaccine recommendations, drive acceptance and uptake, and maximize public health impact.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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