THE ESSENTIAL
- Two French regions are classified as bronchiolitis epidemics and seven others as pre-epidemics.
- An increase in all syndromic indicators related to bronchiolitis was observed between November 11 and 17.
- Pediatricians warn against the lack of full reimbursement for Beyfortus treatment.
Bronchiolitis is tightening its grip on France a little more. Hauts-de-France, classified in the pre-epidemic phase last week, is today in the epidemic phase, according to the latest weekly report from Public Health France. And it is not the only region to record an increase in cases of the viral infection, potentially dangerous for babies.
Bronchiolitis: all epidemic indicators are on the rise
An increase in all syndromic indicators related to bronchiolitis was observed in the 46th week of the year 2024 (November 11 to 17). So,“two French regions were in epidemic: Île-de-France (since S43) and Hauts-de-France (since this week), and seven were in pre-epidemic (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Brittany, Centre-Val de Loire , Grand Est, Normandy, New Aquitaine, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur)”specifies Public Health France. Furthermore, the RSV virus is still circulating strongly in the three overseas departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Guyana.
Of the 6,872 medical procedures carried out by SOS Médecins for children under 2 years old between November 11 and 17, 2024, 6.5% were linked to bronchiolitis. Viral infection also represented 11.1% of emergency room visits and 23.3% of hospitalizations in this age group. For comparison, the rates were 8.7% and 16.7%, respectively, a week earlier. In addition, of the 2,411 small patients treated in the emergency room for this disease, 31.1% were hospitalized. 694 of them were less than 1 year old.
“In week 46, 19 hospitalizations in the intensive care unit after going to the emergency room for bronchiolitis in children under 2 years old were recorded, i.e. 28.4% of all hospitalizations in the intensive care unit in this age group. (vs. 21.3% in W45), the number of hospitalizations in intensive care after going to the emergency room was 19, or 35.8% of hospitalizations in intensive care unit (vs. 20.5% in W45).”
Bronchiolitis: pediatricians denounce insufficient reimbursement of Beyfortus
“The first cases of serious bronchiolitis were admitted to intensive care and intensive care units, and this year, nirsevimab (Beyfortus molecule, Editor’s note) is no longer 100% reimbursed for all families,” alert several pediatric organizations, including the French Society of Pediatrics (SFP) and the French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics (Afpa) in a joint press release.
In fact, this treatment, used to prevent bronchiolitis, is only reimbursed 30% by Social Security. “However, many families (are) unable to pay the co-payment which remains their responsibility (around 300 euros)”emphasize the doctors, recalling at the same time that “several mutual insurance companies do not reimburse or partially reimburse” the medicine.
The limitation of treatment coverage was decided by the HAS which considers that the medical benefit provided by Beyfortus is “minor”. What the pediatricians refute in their press release. “The results obtained last season demonstrate remarkable effectiveness. Nirsevimab demonstrated a significant reduction in severe forms of bronchiolitis, without notable adverse effects, and its acceptance by families was objectively confirmed.”
The Pasteur Institute, for its part, estimated that around 5,800 hospitalizations were avoided last year with the treatment. “This decision to limit reimbursement appears incomprehensible and inadmissible for pediatric learned societies”conclude health professionals.