This coming week, the Ministry of Health begins the immunization of nearly 36,000 minors against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an infection that causes the vast majority of cases of bronchiolitis in infants, other diseases such as persistent wheezing or pneumonia, or favoring infection by other pathogens.
From the Valencian Society of Pediatrics, its president, Juan Carlos Juliá, has assured EFE that the administration of this preventive vaccine, a single-dose monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab), “will be of great benefit to all children and, therefore, Therefore, for all pediatricians”, since this virus “does not have a specific treatment”.
This first campaign against RSV is aimed at children under 2 years of age with risk pathologies (being premature, having a congenital disease, heart disease, lung disease or immunodeficiency) – close to 1,000 – and those born between April 1, 2023 and March from 2024 – around 35,000.
Minors susceptible to receiving the vaccine have already begun to be summoned in order to be immunized against a virus that usually circulates between the months of October and March, the coldest.
It is one of the main viruses that causes numerous hospital admissions and medical care for minors during the autumn and winter months, which is why “it is necessary to immunize them and increase their protection,” according to the Minister of Health, Marciano Gómez, when announced the start of the campaign.
Last year alone, RSV caused more than 1,700 admissions and nearly 8,000 hospital stays for children under one year of age in the Valencian Community, and it is estimated that, annually, Primary Care centers attend to around 20,000 consultations due to this infection. .
Minors born between April 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023 will be immunized in Primary Care centers by appointment, and those who were vaccinated between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 will receive them in maternity wards, before discharge.
The drug that will be used is a monoclonal approved for use in infants that protects for at least five months, allowing the immunization of babies during practically the entire RSV circulation season. In addition, it can be administered simultaneously with the usual vaccines at these ages.
According to Juan Carlos Juliá, RSV “does not have a specific treatment other than prevention with this monoclonal antibody or, once the child is affected, hygienic dietary measures such as washing with serum to remove mucus or paracetamol if he has a fever,” and He added that breastfeeding “has shown a beneficial effect in avoiding these infections.”
He recalled that the respiratory syncytial virus is the main cause of lower respiratory infections in the population under 1 year of age and normally causes bronchiolitis and, sometimes, pneumonia.
“It affects practically all children under 2 years of age, who at some point in their life have had an infection with this virus. Although sometimes they are upper tract symptoms that are less serious, when with symptoms of bronchiolitis that cause wheezing and difficulty to breathe, are more serious and generally require hospitalization,” according to the expert.
Dr. Juliá recalled that this vaccine is part of the vaccination schedule but is not mandatory and parents can decide whether to get it or not, but he emphasizes its preventive nature, since it will ensure “that the child does not get sick, that he does not whether they are serious conditions and everything that comes with parents missing work because their child cannot go to daycare or expenses of health resources for going to the emergency room or primary care.
