Every winter, bronchiolitis affects many infants in France, with nearly 30% of babies affected by this highly contagious respiratory infection. Following a particularly intense epidemic season in 2022-2023, where more than 70,000 children under 2 years old had to be treated in emergency rooms (including 26,000 hospitalizations), a new national preventive strategy is being put in place This year.
The bronchiolitis prevention campaign for the 2024-2025 season is being strengthened with two preventive treatments targeting newborns as well as pregnant women.
• Immunization of newborns
This preventive treatment by single injection has been available since September 2023 for infants under one year of age, including newborns, in order to protect them during their first season at risk of bronchiolitis. Administered in maternity hospitals or by community health professionals, it strengthens babies’ immune defenses against the virus.
• Vaccination of pregnant women
From September 2024 until January 2025, eligible pregnant women can benefit from a new vaccine (Abrysvo). Administered to the mother-to-be during the 8th month of pregnancy, this vaccine transmits maternal antibodies to the baby, thus ensuring protection against bronchiolitis during the first six months of life. It is a complementary preventive solution offered to parents who wish to avoid injecting preventive treatment directly into the infant.
The High Authority for Health (HAS) has validated these two approaches without favoring one or the other, thus leaving parents the possibility of choosing the solution best suited to their situation.
To carry out this immunization campaign, the system once again relies on city professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists and midwives) for the vaccination of pregnant women but also on health establishments invited to immunize all newborns since September 15, 2024.
Maintain barrier gestures to limit the spread of the virus
In addition to preventive treatments, it is essential to adopt barrier gestures to effectively slow down the circulation of the virus. The bronchiolitis virus is transmitted through saliva, coughing, sneezing, and can survive on hands and shared objects.
The ARS Grand Est reminds you of the simple actions to follow in the presence of young children:
• Wash your hands carefully with soap or a hydroalcoholic solution before taking care of your baby;
• Clean the infant’s nose regularly with physiological serum;
• Ventilate the baby’s room and the rooms of the home daily for at least 10 minutes;
• Limit contact with sick people and restrict visits to healthy, close people;
• Encourage going outdoors and avoid enclosed public places such as public transport, supermarkets and restaurants;
• Wear a mask in case of cold, cough or fever in parents or those around them to avoid contaminating the baby.
Health
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