This week, the Balearic Islands will receive purchased doses of immunization against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes 80% of bronchiolitis cases, and will begin vaccinations between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. Universal vaccination of all babies born. next week.
The health ministry said the vaccine will protect babies against bronchiolitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections. The Balearic Islands are investing €1.9 million to extend this immunization to all newborns for the first time, regardless of whether they have risk factors. Expanding RSV immunization to all babies in the Islands is one of the first decisions of this Government.
Until now, RSV immunization was available only to high-risk infants (premature infants less than 35 weeks old, immunosuppressed or with respiratory or heart disease, or infants under 24 months of age with serious medical conditions).
RSV season
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which typically circulates between October and March, is an infectious pathogen that primarily affects infants under one year of age and is often the leading cause of respiratory infections, particularly associated with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In fact, Can Misses Hospital has seen its first hospitalization of babies affected by bronchiolitis, although there are currently no babies in the pediatric inpatient ward.
In July last year, the National Health Commission approved the implementation of universal immunization with the monoclonal antibody nirumab for all underage infants born from April 2023. It is up to each autonomous region to choose whether to immunize the entire population and whether to be vaccinated. Organization of the event: scope, dates and immunization points according to your plans and financial situation.
The Ministry of Health stated that the Armengol government avoided taking this decision and instead handed it over to the new Balearic administration, which opted for universal immunization as soon as it took responsibility and postponed the universal immunization campaign Start.
The purchase of the first batch of Nirsevimab was then urgently expedited to protect babies with dangerous diseases who have been immunized in hospitals since October. Starting next week, this immunization will be extended to all babies born between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
RSV infection overwhelms primary care and emergency health care every year and is the cause of significant hospitalizations in ICUs and inpatient units.
Nirsevimab is a monoclonal antibody administered as a vaccine that provides protection for at least five months in a single dose. When the antibodies are given directly to the baby, the newborn or the mother’s immune system is not dependent on the immune system for protection, and the effect occurs immediately after administration.
Nirsevimab has been shown to be highly effective in preventing infection and reducing the severity of respiratory infections, preventing more than 80% of RSV hospitalizations in infants. Additionally, due to its mechanism of action, it does not interfere with any vaccines on the schedule and can be administered simultaneously.
Nirsevimab administration to neonates will take place at the same hospital where they were born prior to discharge. For babies born on or after April 1, vaccinations will be given at health centres.