Asian Journal of Research in Medicine and Medical Science

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. Hospital studies show high RSV rates, while community cases remain underreported. This Minireview seeks to address the critical data gap by synthesizing available RSV literature within the context of Yemen’s health system. It explores national and regional epidemiological patterns, identifies risk factors unique to the Yemeni population, and examines barriers to effective surveillance and immunization. Factors like indoor air pollution, tobacco smoke, poor nutrition, and crowded living conditions make the problem worse. Yemen’s health system struggles to respond due to conflict, limited resources, and weak surveillance. While new tools like RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies are now available in wealthy countries, Yemen is not yet ready to use them. Unlike Spain, which rolled out RSV protection successfully, Yemen lacks plans and funding to do the same. Moreover, the country is not integrated into the WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, depriving policymakers of seasonality data critical for vaccine timing. Without proper data and tracking, it’s hard to know when and where the virus spreads. This review calls for better surveillance, training for healthcare workers, and stronger public health planning. Global partnerships and support are key to helping Yemen join the fight against RSV. Improving awareness and preparing the country for future vaccine rollouts will protect vulnerable children and close the gap between Yemen and other countries.