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Last year at this time, the Maternal had to expand the number of ICU beds on two occasions due to admissions for cases of bronchiolitis. Against the clock, the health center had to create space in the Maternity Intensive Care area to deal with the increase in pathology. Hospital emergencies and health centers were also under pressure. This year, both in Maternal like in Primary Care They confirm the “brutal collapse” of cases. A fall that professionals attribute to the bronchiolitis vaccination.

The drug actually it is not a vaccine (in which the body generates immunity) but a monoclonal antibody (in which antibodies already manufactured in the laboratory are administered). With all caution because it is still early to evaluate results, but professionals agree that vaccination is working.

“It is a very effective measure because it has allowed us to reduce admissions both in the ward and in the ICU and reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with this pathology,” summarizes the head of the Critical Care and Pediatric Emergencies of the Regional Hospital, José Camacho. It specifies that in front of the 900 children treated for bronchiolitis in the Maternal Emergency Room last year until the beginning of December, this season the figure has fallen to 250. He adds that in front of the 45 admissions for this cause in the pediatric ICU around this time in 2022, now only a few 16. In addition, he noted that except for a couple of cases, the majority of children admitted to the ICU for bronchiolitis have been children who were not immunized.

Immunization includes children under six months, premature babies under one year and babies with chronic pathologies under two, who are the most vulnerable. For this reason, according to Camacho, now the cases of bronchiolitis that arrive at the emergency room are children above these ages.

“Obviously, we will have to wait until February or March, when the bronchiolitis season passes to evaluate the measure, but it is a reality that has greatly decreased the incidence of bronchiolitis in infants,” Camacho insisted.

“The cases that overwhelmed the hospital do not exist and surgeries are not delayed”

Camacho highlights the double benefit of vaccination against bronchiolitis. On the one hand, for children who receive immunization. But also, for the health system. “Because cases of bronchiolitis that Before they saturated the Maternal Hospital They have decreased so significantly that they practically do not exist. That allows you to continue normal scheduled activity. Something that is important because there is no need to delay planned surgeries because the plants are saturated by bronchiolitis,” he explained. For this reason, he stressed: “It is a positive measure.”

In addition, he highlighted the work of the pediatrician, David Moreno, in this “achievement”. Moreno is the coordinator of the Andalusia Strategic Vaccination Plan (Andavac). Camacho highlighted that now, Andalusia has “the most complete vaccination schedule in Spain compared to a few years ago, which was poorer.” He insisted that it is “an achievement and progress”.

In addition to vaccination children’s flu from 6 to 59 months, from bronchiolitis in healthy babies under six months of age, the meningitis –before it was only against C and now immunization against types A, W, Y and B has also been incorporated– and male adolescents have been added to the protection against the human papilloma virus (HPV), since before it was only for girls.

Regarding bronchiolitis, data from the Regional Government of Andalusia confirm similar decreases in the rest of the community: hospitalization of minors has fallen by 80%, from the 245 that there were at this time in 2022 in the region – of them 48 in ICU -, to only 47 admitted until the first week of December – of which only 11 are in Intensive Care -. The reason for this marked decrease is the vaccination against bronchiolitis, according to the Board and professionals. “Experts agree that immunization against respiratory syncytial virus [el causante de la patología] launched by the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs at the end of September has had a decisive influence on the decrease in the number of admissions,” highlights the administration.

Drop in cases also in health centers

“Their thing is to evaluate this vaccination at the end of the season. But it is quite noticeable. In health centers we also see many fewer infants, much less seriously ill and much less frequently. At the consultation, we can confirm that bronchiolitis has greatly decreased in young infants. The effects of vaccination are very noticeable,” says the vice president of the Andalusia Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AndapAp), Leonor Quesada.

In total, 38,907 Andalusian infants have been immunized against RSV since last September 25, when the campaign started. Coverage has reached 93.3%. The forecast is that the campaign will reach around 63,000 babies, almost 12,000 in the province of Malaga. For this, the investment at the regional level is 13.8 million. Until this year, the Andalusian Health Service administered a drug (palivizumab) to children who, because they were premature or because of their pathologies, were considered at risk. With this medication, it was necessary to revaccinate monthly. But in the campaign that began last September, a vaccine was already authorized in Spain (nirsivamab) which is actually a monoclonal antibody that, with a single puncture, protects during the approximately five months that the most intense circulation of bronchitis lasts. With this one there is no need to revaccinate. For this reason, the SAS chose to extend the campaign – in addition to at-risk babies – to healthy children under six months of age.

The Ministry of Health thanked the parents and guardians who have vaccinated their little ones “the exercise of responsibility and commitment to the protection of their children.” The Andalusian Administration also recognized the work of professionals in this campaign. Health workers and the Board encouraged – with these first data – parents who have not yet immunized their children to Make an appointment to receive the corresponding dose.

Second year of flu vaccination in children 6 to 59 months

In addition to the incorporation by first time in 2023 of the bronchiolitis vaccine in healthy babies under six monthsthis fall continues the flu campaign for the second consecutive year for children from 6 to 59 months. Below half a year, the flu vaccine is not authorized. This immunization is also influencing – according to professionals – fewer cases of this type being seen.

In addition, it must be taken into account that there have been almost no days of low temperatures, which favor the circulation of flu strains. The vaccine administered against this disease is tetravalent. That is, it protects against two types of influenza A and many types of influenza B.

Along with the bronchiolitis vaccination in healthy babies under six months of age for the first year and the flu vaccination for the second consecutive year, another novelty is the incorporation of men to immunization against the human papilloma virus (HPV). Until now, this drug was only given to girls. HPV is responsible for most cervical cancer.

2023-12-14 05:37:00
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