The vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes different clinical conditions, especially bronchiolitis and pneumonia, will reach all children under six months of age in Extremadura this year for the first time and will be administered, above all, in hospitals.
The Minister of Health, Sara García Espada, has highlighted that, unlike what was defended by previous health officials, “RSV is the second cause of death in minors, it must be stopped and, for this reason, we have decided to change course and that the dose reaches all children under six months of age and not only those who have risk factors.
Also that the administration of this vaccine, “which has certain peculiarities, because it is a monoclonal antibody”, will preferably be carried out in hospitals. In this way, “children born during the vaccination period in hospitals may receive the dose before discharge if their parents so decide.” The rest “will be rescued by their local pediatricians and, in the case of those children with risk factors who attend their check-up visits at the hospital, we want to take advantage of these appointments to offer them vaccination.”
However, “to the extent possible, the monoclonal antibody may leave the hospital pharmacy to be administered in health centers if the safety conditions are met,” said Sara García Espada. Furthermore, “those minors who have an indication for immunization against respiratory syncytial virus, who belong to the various mutual societies (Muface, Mugeju and Isfas), must follow the procedure indicated by the entities to which they are assigned.”
The vaccine will reach all those born from May 2023, around 6,000 infants, and also to minors with risk factors up to 2 years old, according to the ministry. To this end, the SES has already begun the administrative procedures for the acquisition of the doses of the monoclonal antibody Niservimab, for the purchase of which it will allocate more than 1.2 million euros, as well as the organization and logistics for the administration of this new immunization. which will start from the first half of November.
According to the data published regarding the different clinical trials carried out, Beyfortus – the commercial name of the vaccine – reduces hospitalizations caused by syncytial virus by more than 80%, which confirms its effectiveness and favorable safety profile. This drug contains a recombinant monoclonal antibody that is administered as a single intramuscular injection. Its use is indicated in babies from birth until the first season in which they can be infected with RSV, with a view to ensuring that they are more protected when they have their first contact with the virus.
The drug has been jointly developed by Sanofi and AstraZeneca, which announced an agreement to advance and commercialize the antibody in 2017.
2023-09-16 12:06:35
#Vaccination #bronchiolitis #focus #hospitals #Extremadura
