Diagnostics and surveillance for respiratory viral infection centres around influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and more recently RSV. This leaves a gap in understanding of the true burden of other respiratory viruses including the parainfluenza viruses and human metapneumovirus. The success of the introduction of the RSV immunisation programme offers an opportunity to target other viruses that cause severe respiratory disease in children, and other vulnerable cohorts. However, despite a wealth of incidence data from routine laboratory testing, information on true disease burden in the population is lacking, particularly at a level that would prompt funding for research for new therapies and vaccine development. This presentation aims to highlight these viruses as significant human pathogens that warrant further research and targeted systematic surveillance, with an aim to provide the evidence needed for them to be considered for inclusion in vaccine and treatment development pipelines. Furthermore, this evidence base should aim to include data that would allow policymakers to properly assess and recommend risk groups that may require intervention to prevent/reduce the impact of infection.