RSV Protection Expanded โฃfor Belgian Infants as Vaccination Campaign Launches
Brussels, Belgium – A newโข campaign launching September 1st aims to protect all Belgian infants from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common respiratory infection that can be severe in young children. This โcomes as health officials โขhighlight aโข concerning trend: currently, all infants hospitalized โwith RSV are those whose mothers were not vaccinated against teh virus during pregnancy.
The push for โคbroader protection involves two key strategies. For the first year โฃof life, vaccination of pregnant mothers remains the primary defense. “The CSSโข supports the two methods, โin the case of protection during theโค first year,” explained David Tuerlinckx, a pediatrician. For infants entering their secondโข year,โ the long-acting monoclonal antibody, Nirsevimab, is now recommended and fully reimbursed by the healthcare system.โ
Tuerlinckx specifically recommends Nirsevimab forโข children with increased risk factors, including “Children with chronic pulmonary disease, congenital heart disease, immunocompromised conditions, or Down syndrome,” as thes children are more vulnerable to severe illness during their second RSV โseason.
Understanding the Changing Seasonality of RSV
A crucial element ofโ the new strategyโข is a better understanding of RSV’s seasonality in belgium. sciensano, the national public healthโ institute, โhas โestablished a defined RSV season โคrunning from Octoberโข 1st to โคtrack virus circulation andโค optimize vaccination efforts. Babies born during the season gain immediate immunity. Though, โฃa “catch-up” group – infants born outside the season (February 19th to September 30th, 2025) – requires particular attention. Health officials believe achieving strong immune coverageโ within this group couldโ dramatically reduce hospitalizations. “A good immune coverage โof this group would make it possible to โenvisage a situation where infants’ hospitalizations can โคbe almost entirely avoided,” thay stated.Addressing Data Gaps & Mobilizing โคHealthcare Professionals
The launch of this campaign is also a response to shortcomings in the previous season. Franรงoise Mambourg, a doctor and representative of the Scientific Society of General Medicine (SSMG), noted, “the โpast season was marked by a lack of information โto parents, with an impact on the vaccination campaign.” Mambourg emphasized the need to improve interaction,stating,”So that our newborns breathe well.”
To that end, pediatricians, gynecologists, general practitioners, midwives, and pharmacistsโฃ are being urged to proactively inform parents about the importanceโข of RSV immunization.This expanded protection comes alongside promising developments in โRSV prevention. Sanofi and AstraZeneca are jointly developing a new vaccine โaimed at combating the virus, which affectsโ approximately โค30%โข of children.
Background: RSV and the Importance of Prevention
RSV is a common respiratory virus โthat usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can lead to bronchiolitis and โpneumonia, notably in infants and young children. Hospitalization rates for RSV can surge during the โฃwinter months, placing a strain on healthcare systems.โค Maternal vaccination during โpregnancyโ provides passiveโฃ immunity to the newborn, protecting them during their first vulnerable months. The introduction of Nirsevimab offers a targeted โpreventative measure for those at higher risk during their second year of life, offering a notable step forward in protecting Belgium’s โคyoungest population.