Finalist
Demonstrating the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus
by WA Communications for Sanofi
Summary of work
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a childhood respiratory virus that affects approximately 90% of infants under the age of two at least once in their life. It places a significant burden on the NHS, with 30,000 annual childhood RSV admissions.
Awareness amongst payers and policymakers of RSV’s impact on infants, families and the NHS, was almost non-existent, and there was no advocacy for a solution through the national immunisation programme. Yet, our goal was ambitious - secure a Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommendation for an immunisation programme for every infant born in the UK.
We had to tell the story in a way that compelled policymakers not just to be aware of RSV, but to act. We created the Local Burden of RSV maps - highly visual data maps for every constituency and Integrated Care System (ICS) in England. Accessible online, these allowed parliamentarians to fully comprehend RSV’s burden on the whole system, and successfully landed the irrefutable case for action.
We reached and mobilised key audiences, broadening engagement with parliamentarians to bring new life to the debate on RSV, and directly influencing policymakers to change the approach to the prevention of RSV. Critically, we achieved the JCVI recommendation.
Judges’ comments
WA Communications and Sanofi have created a solid and impactful campaign that ticked a lot of boxes and did what it needed to do. The judges thought the objectives were clear and liked that the situational analysis was data driven. A focused campaign that resulted in an extensive amount of parliamentary engagement.”
