Bronchiolitis: a vaccine for pregnant women will protect newborns

Chaque année, 30 % des nourrissons sont touchés par la bronchiolite. PIXABAY

La Haute autorité de santé (HAS) émet, ce jeudi 13 juin, une recommandation de vaccination des femmes enceintes pour protéger l’enfant à naître d’une infection au VRS, le virus impliqué dans les trois-quarts des cas de bronchiolite.

After the Beyfortus, Abryso. This Thursday, June 13, the High Authority for Health (HAS) gives the green light to a new vaccine which will protect infants against bronchiolitis, a respiratory infection generally linked to RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). It affects 30% of newborns and, for severe forms, sends babies to the hospital.

This time, it is not babies who are recommended to be vaccinated, but pregnant women, "in the 8th month of pregnancy" , specifies the HAS. Babies would thus be "protected from birth".

The Abrysvo vaccine, which was granted European marketing authorisation in August 2024, “is indicated for protection against lower respiratory tract diseases caused by RSV in infants from birth to 6 months of age, following maternal immunisation during pregnancy", according to the HAS.

“No adverse events have been reported “undesirable”

The HAS specifies that “studies show”a significant reduction in severe respiratory infections linked to RSV: 81.8% at 3 months, 69.4% at 6 months. A reduction in hospitalizations is also observed: 67.7% at 3 months, 56.8% at 6 months.

Without side effects: “With regard to the tolerance of the vaccine, no increase in serious adverse events has been reported in either the mother or the newborn.

“As of September, parents could have the choice between two options to protect their infant against infections caused by the VRS", says the HAS.

To be qualified: last winter, the Beyfortus was primarily reserved for hospital pediatric services, and not very accessible to parents.