The time has come for prevention against bronchiolitis. The High Authority of Health (HAS) approves, in a press release published Thursday June 13, the Pfizer Abrysvo vaccine. It will only be injected into women during their 8th month of pregnancy, “more precisely between the 32nd and 36th weeks of amenorrhea”, specifies the public authority. The pregnant woman will pass antibodies to her child through the placenta, thereby preventing RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) infections in infants.
RSV is responsible for three-quarters of cases of bronchiolitis. This infection of the bronchioles turns into an epidemic during the winter in France. According to the HAS, “around 30% of infants under two years old and 2 to 3% of children under one year old are hospitalized for a severe form”.
Two possibilities to fight against RSV
This vaccine is presented as an alternative to the immunization of newborns and infants with the Beyfortus monoclonal antibody from Sanofi. So the people concerned will be able to choose the solution they prefer. “The two strategies for preventing RSV infections (must be) presented and explained during pregnancy to allow an informed decision regarding the protection of the infant”recommends the HAS in its press release.
However, passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies to infants will be recommended when vaccination has not been carried out in pregnant women during their 8th month of pregnancy. And in cases where vaccination is not effective: premature newborns, interval between vaccination and birth of less than 14 days, immunocompromised women
A study carried out by The New England Journal of Medicine “show a reduction in severe respiratory infections linked to RSV: 81.8% at 3 months, 69.4% at 6 months”, affirms the HAS. Even if its marketing date is not yet known, the vaccine obtained European marketing authorization last August.
