Vaccination against the virus has begun respiratory syncytial virus (VRS), the main cause of respiratory infections in children, but who will be vaccinated? With what drug? Until what date? Esther Tierraseca, nurse Gregorio Marañón Hospital (Madrid) and one of those in charge of carrying out the vaccination answers these questions.
Esther Tierraseca
Ask. Many people do not know what RSV is, what it is and what causes this virus?
Answer. RSV is a seasonal virus, whose maximum peak is from October to March, and is the main producer of respiratory infections in children under 2 years of age, causing so-called bronchiolitis.
RSV affects 80% of infants in the first year of life, with its maximum incidence in the first 6 months of life and by 2 years, 100% of children will have come into contact with it. It is responsible for up to 70% of cases in infants with severe bronchiolitis that require hospitalization.
Its symptoms can vary from mild respiratory symptoms, treatable at home, such as rhinorrhea, dry cough, sneezing, irritability and refusal to eat, to increased respiratory difficulty that may require hospital admission.
Q. When has the RSV vaccination campaign started and until when will it be valid?
R. The RSV season runs from October 1 to March 31. Children under 6 months of age will be vaccinated, since this is the age group that suffers the most from bronchiolitis and where it is more serious. In risk groups this age is increased to 24 months.
According to the protocol of the Community of Madrid, the administration schedule for a single dose of this medication called nirsevimab will be:
During the entire month of October 2023, all infants under 6 months of age (born from April 1 to September 30, 2023) were vaccinated.
Newborns from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 will be administered the vaccine in the first month of life, it being advisable to preferably give it in the first 24-48 hours after birth.
In patients at risk between 6 and 24 months, those with other underlying diseases that pose a high risk of suffering from severe bronchiolitis due to RSV will receive an immunization dose, this is infants born prematurely of less than 35 weeks, patients with dysplasia bronchopulmonary disease, severe immunosuppression, inborn errors of metabolism, neuromuscular diseases, severe lung malformations, genetic syndromes with relevant respiratory problems, Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis.
Q. Why is it so important to vaccinate against RSV? Who is the vaccination intended for?
R. RSV bronchiolitis is a highly contagious infection and is primarily transmitted through direct contact with respiratory secretions. It entails a significant overload of care in all healthcare settings, including requiring ICU care in previously healthy patients and is a risk factor for developing recurrent wheeze in childhood.
Currently there is no treatment against RSV, so the appearance of nirsevimab is a solution to reduce this epidemic. Nirsevimab is a new medication that produces passive immunoprophylaxis to protect children under 6 months of age. With this drug, antibodies against the virus are injected, which can reduce the most serious infections by around 75%. A single dose protects for at least five months.
A single dose is administered by intramuscular injection into the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. A dose of 50 mg is administered for those infants weighing less than 5 kg, or 100 mg for those weighing 5 kg or more. It can be administered at the same time as other vaccines, since its effects do not interfere with the immune system response.
Q. What side effects can the vaccine cause?
R. They are rare, and include rash, local inflammatory reaction (redness, swelling and pain) and fever.
Q. What is the role of nursing professionals in this issue?
R. The role of nursing professionals has always been fundamental in the prevention and promotion of health. The nurse is key to advising and informing, in this case, parents about the importance and need to vaccinate their child with passive immunoprophylaxis against RSV to protect the infant.
Likewise, at the time of vaccination, in addition to administering it, is when the nurse resolves parents’ doubts about its effectiveness and side effects and how to treat them, as well as Health Education.
Q. Where and how can all those who wish to request vaccines? Where will it take place?
R. In this campaign, in the Community of Madrid, immunization will only be carried out in hospital centers.
Those born from April 1 to September 30, 2023, residents of the Community of Madrid, have already been vaccinated throughout the month of October through self-appointment. Newborns in maternity hospitals in the SERMAS network from October 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024 will be vaccinated in the maternity hospital itself before discharge or after discharge by self-appointment at the Niño Jesús Children’s University Hospital. Those born in maternity hospitals in the private health network: by appointment through the “Self-appointment” system at the Niño Jesús Children’s University Hospital.
2023-11-23 08:26:22
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