Prevention of RSV in Young Children: Current Background Information and Resources for Health Council

Prevention of RSV in young children. Current background information for the Health Council

Resume

The respiratory syncytial (RS respiratory syncytial (respiratory syncytial)) virus is a respiratory virus that is common in the Netherlands, especially in winter. Most children get their first infection with this virus before they are two years old. This is often mild, with mainly cold complaints. It is estimated that 1 in 5 to 10 children with an RS virus infection go to the doctor. But some of the children become very ill: about 1 in 100 babies has to go to hospital due to an RS virus infection. Some of them even have to be treated in intensive care, for example because they have to be ventilated.

In recent years, efforts have been made to prevent children from becoming seriously ill from an infection with this virus. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport) has asked the Health Council to advise on these resources. To support this advice, RIVM has collected existing background information for the Health Council. Some children are more likely to become very ill from the RS virus. These are children who were born prematurely or have a congenital disease of the lungs or heart. They therefore receive a medicine that reduces the chance of becoming very ill (palivizumap). But most children who end up in hospital with the RS virus do not belong to these high-risk groups. They are therefore not eligible for this medicine.

In October 2022, the EMA European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency) approved a new drug (nirsevimab) for Europe. This medicine can also make children less ill, but it works better and longer than palivizumap. There may also be a vaccine for pregnant women against the RS virus. Such a ‘maternal vaccine’ protects the child from birth against serious illness because the mother passes on antibodies to the child during pregnancy. It is expected that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA Food and Drug Administration (Food and Drug Administration)) will soon advise on the approval of this vaccine in the United States.

The information collected concerns both the RS virus and nirsevimab and the maternal vaccine against this virus. For example, how many young children in the Netherlands are infected with the virus, how the body builds up its defenses against the virus and how well the drugs work.

Abstract

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that is common in the Netherlands, especially in the winter. Most children are first infected with this virus before the age of two. This usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. It is estimated that 1 in 5 to 10 children in the Netherlands with an RSV infection visit the GP. But some children become seriously ill: around 1 in 100 babies with RSV is hospitalized for this infection. A number of them even have to be treated in the intensive care unit, for example because they need mechanical ventilation.

In recent years, efforts have been made to develop drugs and vaccines to prevent children from becoming seriously ill from an infection with this virus. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport asked the Health Council of the Netherlands to issue advice on these products. To support this advice, RIVM gathered background information for the Health Council.

Some children are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from RSV. These include children who were born prematurely or who have a congenital heart or lung condition. They are therefore given a medication (palivizumab) that reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill. However, most children who are hospitalized for RSV do not belong to these risk groups. That means they are not eligible for this medication.

In October 2022, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a new medication (nirsevimab) for use in Europe. This drug can also reduce illness in children, but it works better and longer than palivizumab. In addition, a vaccine against RSV for pregnant women may become available. This ‘maternal vaccine’ protects infants against serious illness from birth, as the mother passes on antibodies to the child during pregnancy. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to advise on the approval of this vaccine in the United States soon.
The information gathered concerns both RSV and nirsevimab and the maternal vaccine against this virus. Examples include how many young children in the Netherlands become infected with the virus, how the body builds its defences against the virus and how well the products work.

2023-07-13 10:07:30
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