Press release
Published on September 19, 2024
Partners
Every year, from October to March, some 3,000 children under 12 months are hospitalized in Switzerland due to bronchiolitis. This respiratory tract infection is most often caused by a virus, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can cause serious complications affecting children under 1 year old, and more particularly babies under 3 months old. From October 2024, a preventive treatment, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®), which immunizes toddlers against RSV, will be offered in maternity wards and by pediatricians in the canton.
For the first time this fall-winter 2024-2025 season, protection against RSV is offered to children under 12 months. This virus, whose effects are most often benign (cough, fever, blocked nose), can nevertheless cause bronchiolitis (respiratory tract infection) and pneumonia. Children under 12 months, and even more so those under three months, are particularly exposed to the risk of developing these complications, which often require hospitalization. Some 3,000 newborns and infants are hospitalized each year to support them in their respiratory distress.
From October, a preventive treatment against RSV will be available in the Canton of Vaud, as in the rest of Switzerland. This involves immunization via Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®), a monoclonal antibody that is injected into the muscle, generally in the thigh. Although it is included in the FOPH vaccination plan, Nirsevimab (Beyfortus®) is a preventive medication and not a vaccine. Already administered in the United States, Spain, France and Luxembourg during the second half of last winter, this treatment has proven its effectiveness, with an 80% reduction in serious illnesses due to RSV, 77% fewer RSV-related hospitalizations and 86% fewer RSV-related intensive care admissions than in children who had only received a placebo, according to several studies involving thousands of infants. Usual side effects (pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, etc.) have been observed in rare cases.
The Vaud health authorities and the Vaud Pediatricians’ Group recommend this preventive treatment for children under 12 months, according to the following provisions:
- For infants born between April 2024 and the end of September 2024: immunization can be done from October 2024 at the child’s pediatrician. It is entirely possible to have this injection at the same time as a vaccine from the Swiss vaccination plan.
- For newborns born between October 2024 and the end of March 2025, immunization will be offered directly at the maternity ward, in the days following birth.
The price of Beyfortus® and the administration costs are covered by the health insurance fund, with the exception of the 10% co-payment.
As a reminder, in order to avoid contamination, simple preventive measures are recommended in parallel:
- Before the age of 3 months, limit visits to the circle of close, non-sick adults.
- Wash your hands (or use a hydroalcoholic solution) before and after handling the baby.
- Wearing a mask yourself if you have a cold, cough or fever
- If the rest of the siblings have symptoms of viral infection, keep them away from the baby as much as possible during the acute phase of the infection.
- Avoid family gatherings and public places if possible
Further information: www.vd.ch/bronchiolite
Information and Communication Office of the State of Vaud
Press information only
- DSAS, Dr Karim Boubaker, cantonal doctor, General Directorate of Health, 021 316 50 04
- Dr Pierre-Alex Crisinel, head of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology Unit, CHUV, 021 314 35 83
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