The first free vaccination campaign against respiratory syncytial virus will start on October 1 and will protect about 62,000 children from serious illness and hospitalization, the government said on Monday.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health (MS), this vaccination campaign involves an investment of 13.6 million euros.
The introduction of immunisation against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in childhood follows a proposal from the Directorate General of Health (DGS), which takes into account, among other factors, the epidemiology of the infection in Portugal, the increased risk of developing serious illness and hospitalisation, and the safety of the drugs, he adds.
“Thus, from October 1, 2024, immunization against RSV infection will be available free of charge in all maternity hospitals in the public, private and social sectors for children born between October 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, as well as in health care institutions of the SNS for children born between August 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024, and children with established risk factors,” the MS emphasizes.
The standard implementing the introduction of seasonal immunization against RSV infection in childhood for the autumn-winter season 2024-2025 was published this Monday by the GDG, which makes a recommendation “taking into account the estimated burden of RSV disease in Portugal and based on currently available scientific data”.
The health authority says RSV is a very common cause of infection in paediatrics, causing annual seasonal epidemics that in temperate climates typically occur between October and March and coincide with other respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses, representing a significant burden on child health services.
“Infants in the first months of life, premature babies and children with certain chronic diseases are at increased risk of developing serious illnesses,” the DGS says.
Epidemiological surveillance of RSV, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the impact of this immunization campaign, will be carried out by the Directorate General of Health in collaboration with the National Institute of Health Dútor Ricardo Jorge (INSA).
The Ministry of Health says the campaign is one of the priority measures included in the Health Emergency and Transformation Plan presented by the government in May 2024.
“It is a prevention strategy aimed at protecting children, especially in the first months of life, and reducing individual susceptibility, disease burden and impact on health service use, namely emergency room use and hospital admissions,” the MS said.
It also stresses that the measure demonstrates “a clear commitment to preventing disease and promoting the health and social well-being of children and their families, rather than reacting through the provision of curative care.”
In 2022, the European Medicines Agency authorised the use of a long-acting monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) to prevent lower respiratory tract disease caused by this virus in newborns and infants during the first RSV season.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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