Determinants of Maternal RSV Vaccination Uptake: A Narrative Review

Maternal vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a major advance in early-life infection prevention. Although clinical efficacy and early real-world effectiveness are well established, sustained population-level impact depends on equitable uptake. This review synthesizes determinants influencing maternal RSV vaccination within the evolving dual-strategy landscape that includes both maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody prophylaxis. A structured narrative review was conducted following PRISMA principles. PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between January 2022 and February 2026. Eligible studies examined behavioral, interpersonal, structural, economic, and policy determinants of maternal RSV vaccination uptake, as well as early implementation and modelling evidence. Findings were integrated within a multilevel analytical framework. Maternal uptake is shaped by interacting determinants across individual, healthcare provider, and health system domains. Key drivers include perceived infant disease severity, vaccine safety confidence, perceived effectiveness, and prior antenatal vaccination behavior. Healthcare provider recommendation consistently emerges as the strongest facilitator. Coverage variability reflects differences in reimbursement, antenatal care integration, and national policy endorsement. The coexistence of maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody strategies introduces additional comparative decision-making complexity. Early implementation data indicate heterogeneous uptake and socioeconomic gradients, while modelling demonstrates sensitivity to coverage, timing, epidemiology, and cost. Translating biological efficacy into sustained public health benefit requires coordinated behavioral, structural, and policy strategies, strong provider engagement, and context-sensitive implementation frameworks to ensure equitable coverage.