2023-07-23 18:09:27
After powering up pediatric wards this winter, cases of bronchiolitis could decrease in the coming years. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light on Friday July 21 to a first vaccine from the Pfizer laboratory intended to protect infants and people aged at least 60 against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis.
This approval is a real step forward in the fight against these infections, especially in children under 2 years old. Each year in France, 30% of them are affected by bronchiolitis, according to Public Health France.
â–ş How is this vaccine special?
Jean-Daniel Lelièvre, professor at the Henri-Mondor hospital in CrĂ©teil and expert in vaccination, is certain: this new vaccine, called Abrysvo, is ” essential “ in the fight against bronchiolitis. Already in May, a serum, developed by the British laboratory GSK, was approved by the European regulator for people aged 60 and over. A preventive treatment from AstraZeneca and Sanofi, intended for infants, was also authorized at the end of 2022.
The American Pfizer’s Abrysvo concerns these same audiences. In addition to the protection of people aged 60 and over, it aims to protect infants through the vaccination of pregnant mothers. “The antibodies of the pregnant woman pass into the children, and this allows them to be protected for several months after their birth”, explains Jean-Daniel Lelièvre. A first in the fight against RSV, which ensures the immunization of infants up to six months after administrationof the vaccine to the mother during pregnancy»the EMA said in a statement.
â–ş Why is a bronchiolitis vaccination important?
Each year, bronchiolitis is the cause of thousands of deaths and hospitalizations worldwide. In France, it led to the hospitalization of more than 26,000 people during the winter of 2022-2023, according to figures from Public Health France.
Infants are the main affected by this infection, which can cause severe respiratory discomfort. “It is particularly dangerous in these very young children and in the elderly for whom it is a major cause of death, in the same way as the flu”develops Jean-Daniel Lelièvre.
â–ş Does this new vaccine involve any risks?
The results of some studies, carried out on pregnant women and people over the age of 60, have demonstrated the effectiveness of Abrysvo “, assures the EMA in its press release. According to the regulator, only a few mild side effects, such as pain at the site of vaccination or headaches, could be observed. Without there being, for the moment, “common side effect”confirms Jean-Daniel Lelièvre.
â–ş When should it arrive on the French market?
No date has yet been announced. Because, before arriving on the market, the Abrysvo must in particular be authorized by the European Commission. It is only after this step that “decisions on prices and reimbursement will be taken at the level of each Member State», including France, underlines the EMA. Not sure therefore that the doctors will be able to seize it by the winter.
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