This year, the syncytial vaccine recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) was approved for immunization of minors. In the face of this announcement, BioBioChili spoke with parents and collected some of the questions they expressed. These questions were answered by experts.
syncytial virus In 2023, the country’s medical network will become strained. . Thousands of cases have collapsed in pediatric ICU emergencies in hospitals and clinics.
On June 7 this year, the Ministry of Health reported that seven one-year-old children had died from the disease.A month earlier, the first vaccine against syncytial virus, which mainly affects people over 60, had been approved in the United States, and in July European Medicines Agency (EMA) He recommended it for baby vaccinations.
Following these announcements, bio biochili has collected seven questions from parents regarding syncytial virus in minors and the aforementioned vaccines, application, and steps to take.
In response, we have contacted the following: Pediatrician Florencia Esquivel Medical Director of Sanofi Vaccines in Argentina and Chile.
How is syncytial virus different from common viruses?
– The clinical effects of syncytial virus (RSV) infection are highly variable and can manifest as a mild upper respiratory tract infection or lead to severe respiratory distress requiring hospitalization. RSV infections usually begin in the upper respiratory tract and cause cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and a dry cough. During the first year of life, infants are at increased risk of developing acute lower respiratory tract infections. .
RSV causes bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with symptoms such as wheezing. (There is a whistling sound when breathing) shortness of breath, cough, tachypnea, cyanosis (The boy turned purple) hypoxemia (low oxygen level) . VSR Between 4,000 and 5,000 people are hospitalized in Chile each year. the majority are previously healthy infants born at term.
Up to what age should I receive vaccines? Are there any complications after vaccination? (pain, fever, etc.)
– The first and only preventive strategy to protect healthy infants, both preterm and term, during their initial or continued exposure to RSV is the long half-life of a monoclonal antibody (mAB) called nirsevimab. It is based on.
Nilsevimab is given to babies. One injection given to all children under 6 months of age at birth and at the beginning of RSV season. It does not require activation of the immune system to provide timely and direct protection against RSV, providing passive immunity during the entire period of viral circulation, allowing for rapid protection.
This vaccination was developed to be given to all newborns and children under 6 months of age during a viral outbreak. Direct protection that avoids medical care and hospitalization by up to 83% caused by acute lower respiratory tract infection (SARI) secondary to RSV.
Is it recommended to give paracetamol to the child before vaccination to avoid fever? If so, what is the dose? If not, what are the risks?
– Talk to your pediatrician about this. However, these symptoms do not occur because of passive immunity.
How long will children be protected?
– In clinical studies, a single dose of nilsevimab has demonstrated consistently high efficacy against RSV lower respiratory tract disease, with efficacy lasting at least 5 months (typically the duration of a typical RSV season) I did.
There has been a collapse of pediatric emergency services this year, do you think vaccines are the solution to this problem, or do you think it’s more serious?
– Especially the most vulnerable groups For infants under 12 months Although some groups are at higher risk of developing serious illness, the majority (more than 80%) of children who require hospitalization are healthy babies born at term.
It is estimated that around 70% of infants will be infected with RSV within the first year of life And nearly all children (90%) develop the disease within the first two years of life.
In this context, preventive strategies that protect all infants from RSV and enable vaccination with nilsevimab for all children are essential. It has the potential to contribute to significant reductions. Clinical studies have shown that medical costs and hospitalizations were reduced by 80% in infants given nilsevimab, meaning this measure will have a major impact on the healthcare system in the same season as vaccinations. To do.
From what age is vaccination recommended for children?
– This antibody This product is designed to prevent acute lower respiratory tract infections caused by RSV in all newborns and infants born during or entering the first RSV season. and children up to 24 months of age who remain susceptible to severe RSV disease during the second RSV season.
A single dose of nilsevimab was developed to be administered at the onset of RSV season for babies born before RSV season or at birth for babies born during RSV season.
What is the best treatment for syncytial virus?
– Currently being treated for mild RSV infection. It is limited to symptom relief and can be treated on an outpatient basis, except in the most severe cases, which require hospitalization. . Although there has been significant progress in our knowledge of the virus over the past decade, effective tools to prevent it in all healthy children are still not locally available.
Prevention strategies that protect all healthy infants, both preterm and term, during the first season of exposure to RSV are based on long half-life monoclonal antibodies (mABs). Administration is given in a single intramuscular dose during the winter season or at the beginning of winter depending on the child’s weight, providing passive immunity and rapid protection, preventing RSV virus infection.
In Chile, Registration application for nilsevimab started on July 13, 2023 In front of the Institute of Public Health (ISP).
What do you recommend when vaccinating minors? (Household behavior and measures to avoid reinfection)
– As with any vaccination, it may cause mild reactions, such as: Pain and redness at the application site, However, it is very well tolerated and management of these local symptoms should be applied.
Source: Biobiochile
