Bronchiolitis is a viral disease of the small bronchi, mainly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It mainly affects infants under two years old, with a peak in babies under six months old.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Although often benign, bronchiolitis can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization, particularly in premature babies or children with chronic illnesses. In recent days, around fifteen severe cases have been recorded in the establishments of the Hospices Civils de Lyon, which remind us that “two protection options are available: the Abrysvo vaccine, administered to the pregnant woman during her last trimester of pregnancy, or the preventive treatment with monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®), administered to the baby after birth”.
Abrysvo: a new prenatal vaccine
Recently launched on the market and fully reimbursed by Social Security, the Abrysvo® prenatal vaccine is a new weapon against the bronchiolitis epidemic. This vaccine, offered in the three Lyon maternity wards of the Femme Mère Enfant Hospital, Lyon-Sud and Croix-Rousse, can be administered to pregnant women between the 32nd and 36th weeks of pregnancy. The objective is to protect newborns from birth through a transfer of maternal antibodies.
What a vaccine “allows the mother to increase her antibodies which are then transferred to the baby via the placenta and, after birth, by the
breast milk”explain HCL in a press release dated December 13, 2024.
- Mode d’action : the vaccine stimulates the production of specific antibodies in the mother, which are transmitted to the baby via the placenta.
- Type of protection : the infant benefits from passive immunity from birth until six months.
- Reimbursement terms : since August 2024, the vaccine has been fully covered by Health Insurance, allowing its administration in hospitals, clinics, and maternity wards.
- Complementarity with other prenatal vaccines : Abrysvo® adds to the recommendations for vaccines against whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19, and strengthens the overall protection of mothers and infants.
Prenatal vaccine, a perfect complement to Beyfortus® treatment
The Abrysvo® prenatal vaccine does not replace the monoclonal antibody treatment Beyfortus® (nirsevimab) introduced in 2023, but offers an alternative option.
Parents now have the choice between two preventive strategies:
- Maternal vaccination with Abrysvo® : protects the infant from birth thanks to the transfer of maternal antibodies.
- Immunization of the newborn with Beyfortus® : a single injection given to the infant after birth, providing direct protection against RSV for approximately five months.
“The preventive treatment with monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®), administered from birth, neutralizes RSV without straining the infant’s immune system”specify the HCL. “In a single dose, it provides protection for the entire winter season. In 2023, this method allowed an 80% reduction in hospitalizations for HCL bronchiolitis, with an effectiveness rate of 78% in newborns vaccinated in maternity wards..
These are therefore two options allowing families to choose the method best suited to protect their child against bronchiolitis. “The Abrysvo vaccine allows mothers to protect their babies from pregnancy and preventive treatment with antibodies
Nirsevimab helps protect the baby after birth. By providing early immunity to RSV in infants, we can significantly reduce the risk of severe disease and hospitalizations. This is a major step forward for the health of toddlers”underlines Professor Yves Gillet, Deputy Head of Department in the Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Department at the Femme Mère Enfant hospital, in Lyon.
Bronchiolitis: what are the dangers for your infant?
Bronchiolitis is a disease which, although most often benign, can lead to serious complications. It manifests itself by inflammation of the small bronchi and causes:
- Severe breathing difficulties : the infant may present with wheezing, accelerated, or even labored breathing.
- Excessive fatigue : Difficulty breathing can lead to a reduced appetite and difficulty eating.
- Increased risk of hospitalization : About 2 to 3% of affected infants require hospitalization.
In some cases, bronchiolitis may require respiratory assistance, especially in babies younger than six months. This is why early protection is necessary to reduce these risks.
NAMELY
With the arrival of the winter season, it is important to emphasize that the fight against infections is not limited to vaccination. To reduce the transmission of common viruses, such as bronchiolitis, influenza, COVID-19 or even gastroenteritis, simple measures can be adopted. This includes frequent hand washing, good ventilation of enclosed spaces and wearing a mask in case of respiratory symptoms, in order to protect the most vulnerable people.
