Fernando Dominguez, Minister of Health of the Government of Navarre, said that “since October 1, minors born between October 1 and December 31, 2023 have been tested for respiratory syncytial virus (bronchiolitis). Main reason) Immunization” So far, 365 boys and girls born in the autonomous region have been vaccinated. As for influenza, the number of children rose to 500.
This was in response to a verbal question raised by the PSN during the plenary session of Parliament on Thursday regarding the Ministry of Health’s actions to “prevent and reduce the consequences of bronchiolitis”.
In this regard, he explained that for the winter of 2023-2024, “the main novelty is the inclusion of respiratory syncytial virus vaccine in the vaccination program for people born in October”, which leaves room for the continuation of vaccination possibility. “The same is true for minors born between January and March 2024, depending on the epidemiological situation, the spread of the virus and the availability of an adequate and sustainable budget over a period of time.”
“It is estimated that it will affect around 150,000 boys and girls by December. The immunization is given in hospital within 24 to 48 hours after birth and has been ongoing since October 1 last year until today. 24 Today, 365 boys and girls born in our community have received this treatment,” he noted.
As he emphasized, “Every year, when the cold weather arrives and the school year begins, one of the diseases most closely monitored by the Institute of Public Health and Osasenbidia Health Services is bronchiolitis, especially in the one-year-old “The situation may become complicated for children below middle age.”
Specifically, he reported that last May, the Public Health Committee of the Ministry of Health agreed on an immunization strategy for respiratory syncytial virus (the main cause of bronchiolitis in minors), “leaving each autonomous region free to organize how and to whom to vaccinate.” Management based on population, resources and availability”.
In this way, on September 7, the Technical Advisory Committee on Vaccination met in Navarra, “evaluated different options and unanimously reached an agreement” to vaccinate groups of children at high risk of severe disease against respiratory viruses. and those born between October 1 and December 31, 2023.
“The implementation of this vaccination program is likely to reduce the number of cases of bronchiolitis, which means at the healthcare level less pressure on healthcare, fewer hospital admissions and less healthcare costs,” he stressed.
Dominguez highlighted its “economic effort” for public health “as the direct costs of acquiring the drug were just over 1 million euros, while hospitalization costs in previous campaigns meant approximately 518,000 euros”.
On the other hand, he added, “With the same goal of reducing the impact of bronchiolitis, a childhood influenza vaccination campaign is also being launched from September 16 for boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months.”, until On Tuesday, October 24, more than 500 boys and girls were vaccinated.
As he points out, “The impact would not be as large as immunity against syncytial viruses, but it would have an added beneficial effect because bronchiolitis can be caused by different viruses.”
In addition to the new vaccine, Dominguez emphasized that regular attention to newborns by primary care networks “allows for early detection of possible cases of bronchiolitis” and that “information disseminated through the media, social networks and pediatric professionals, in Both in primary care and hospital care, they remind families of symptoms associated with bronchiolitis, whether they should go to the emergency room in this case, or how to manage the process.
“With vaccines, scrutiny and information we hope this campaign will reduce serious cases of bronchiolitis in children. At the Ministry of Health, and in particular the Institute of Public Health, we will continue to work and bet on prevention as the best option for prevention. The best tool to reduce the incidence of this disease during this and future campaigns,” he said.
Espolín noted that “in Navarre, between October 22 and May 23, the virus resulted in the admission of 118 children under 6 months of age, 23 of whom had to be admitted to the intensive care unit”, and Added “We are satisfied” what the counselor said.