€1.9 million to be allocated for immunization campaigns
The Ministry of Health has announced that it is purchasing the drug Nisevumaballocating a total of 1.9 million euros for the acquisition of the company to organize promotional activities Respiratory syncytial virus immunization (VRS) All Vulnerable Children for Season 2023-2024.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Health said it would include immunization of all children with a disease or condition due to severe RSV infection, as well as healthy children.Related to the first group are premature baby under 35 weeks and under 12 months; and congenital heart disease have significant hemodynamic effects for up to 24 months; and Dysplasia Bronchopulmonary, up to 24 months; and other conditions such as severe immunosuppressionInborn error of metabolism, neuromuscular or pulmonary disease Serious, genetic syndrome with associated respiratory disease, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis and patients in Palliative careup to 24 months.
On the other hand, universal immunity. healthy six month old child Reached age during a VRS season or was born during a VRS season.Therefore, they are all children to be born From April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.Likewise, they reported that in October 2022 Monoclonal antibodiesnirsevimab, “has been shown to be safe and highly effective in preventing disease, especially in the most severe forms, and the duration of protection covers almost the entire season of the RSV cycle, that is, it helps prevent disease in all little babies».
The drug is administered to single dose Injected intramuscularly, it can be administered safely and effectively from birth. For all these reasons, “public health professionals and the Pediatric and Vaccinological Society recommend it for all infants during the first season of RSV transmission (from October of one year to March of the following year)”. Therefore, the ministry is purchasing the drug and organizing the campaign, and will inform professionals and the public when the drug will start, the tour and where it will be administered.
They also said that “protecting children from this disease benefits them, their families and society at large.” Therefore, “cooperation of all relevant sectors, including families, is critical.”
With regard to RSV, they warn that it causes a “huge burden of disease” each year, both in terms of infection and infection. admission and stay in the unit ICU (ICU), for young children, especially premature infants, infants with underlying medical conditions, and healthy children under six months of age.
Then this virus is Major Causes of Bronchiolitis, consisting of inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles, accounts for 80% of respiratory illnesses and hospitalizations in children under 1 year of age.As they explain, the estimated Ten percent of children suffer from the disease, of which 1% to 2% required hospitalization, of which 10% were admitted to the ICU. The disease is more common and more severe in premature babies or children with severe medical conditions, but because it is a very common disease, most of those affected are healthy children.
In addition, the most common complication of acute infection is respiratory distress, often requiring oxygen or other respiratory support measures. Young children may have feeding difficulties and other microbial infections may also be seen, mainly otitis media or pneumonia, but also systemic infections. In addition to short-term complications, the Ministry of Health noted that RSV infection in the first few months of life is associated with asthma and wheezing episodes, ie respiratory distress with wheezing.