THURSDAY

DAILY BULLETIN

Balearic Islands purchase more than 8,000 doses of the vaccine that immunises children under 6 months of age against bronchiolitis

May 4, 2024 | Current affairs, Featured, Interview, Portada, Revista Lloseta, Thursday Daily Bulletin, Tradition


The Consell de Govern authorises the investment of 1,934,000 euros for the purchase of Nirsemivab

TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Balearic Islands purchase more than 8,000 doses of the vaccine

The RSV vaccine reduced by 70% the number of infant admissions compared to the previous season

The Consell de Govern has authorised the investment of 1,934,421.22 euros for the purchase of more than 8,000 doses of the Nirsemivab vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes various clinical conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

The one-year extension of the contract – until 30 June 2025 – for the supply of the monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab will make it possible to immunise all infants under six months of age during the next season of virus circulation and thus prevent the significant morbidity and mortality associated with this infection in the infant population.

The Nirsemivab vaccine will be administered to infants under six months of age from next autumn, in what will be the second campaign of the Balearic public health system. The first campaign achieved a coverage of 75% of the target population. The result has been a decrease in the number of serious cases of this disease. Compared to the previous season, the provision of this vaccine has led to a 70% decrease in hospital admissions and an 80% decrease in admissions to paediatric intensive care units.

RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles and accounts for 80% of respiratory illnesses and hospitalisations in children under one year of age. It has also been linked to bacterial respiratory diseases and the subsequent development of bronchial hyperactivity and asthma.

It is estimated that 10 % of children suffer from it. 1-2 % require hospitalisation and 10 % of those admitted go to the ICU. The disease is more common and more severe in premature children or children with severe pathologies, but as it is a very common disease, most of those affected are healthy children.