Respiratory Infections Interventions

• Imperial College Lead: Prof John Tregoning
• UKHSA Lead: Dr Conall Watson
• Imperial College Deputy Lead: Dr Anne Cori
• UKHSA Deputy Lead: Dr Katja Hoschler

Overview

Vaccines, antivirals and diagnostic tools are vital in reducing the impact of respiratory viruses, but they only work if they’re delivered effectively, used appropriately and reach the people who need them most.

This theme focuses on improving how interventions are delivered, monitored and taken up in real-world settings. We are studying a range of respiratory viruses, including RSV, influenza, hMPV and adenovirus, with a particular focus on making sure interventions work for underserved communities.

We're also designing tools and strategies to evaluate the impact of new treatments and vaccines quickly, so we can provide early insights to health services and policymakers.

Key projects:

• RSV and Childhood Respiratory Illness

With new RSV vaccines and monoclonal antibodies becoming available, we are modelling how best to deploy them. We’re also building better diagnostics and studying RSV variants, particularly in children at high risk of hospitalisation.

• Improving Flu Antiviral and Vaccine Use

We’re evaluating how flu antivirals are prescribed in practice and testing ways to improve how vaccines are assessed. This includes developing simple, self-sampling tools to help monitor outbreaks in community settings.

• Tracking Emerging Pathogens like hMPV and Adenovirus

With changing virus dynamics due to RSV immunisation, we are building genomic tools to monitor viruses like hMPV. We are also working to improve adenovirus detection to support quicker outbreak response and inform vaccine development.

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How is this theme relevant to UKHSA objectives?

This research theme contributes directly to UKHSA’s objectives for evidence-based deployment of vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments. By modelling real-world uptake and effectiveness across different respiratory viruses, the work helps optimise national immunisation strategies and public health guidance. It also supports the rapid evaluation of new products through integrated community-based monitoring systems.