Every year, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) affects newborns and infants, and can lead to severe forms of bronchiolitis, sometimes requiring hospitalization or even intensive care.
A highly contagious virus This highly contagious virus can affect the respiratory tract and is the main infectious agent of bronchiolitis in infants (60 to 90% of cases). It is also implicated in 5 to 40% of pneumonias in young children.
Numerous emergency room visits During the 2022-2023 season, bronchiolitis affected many children in France, with 10,000 medical procedures performed by SOS Médecins (a French emergency medical service), 75,000 emergency room visits, including 25,000 hospitalizations. That's twice the average for peak periods between 2015 and 2020.
Stress, anxiety, fatigue, sick leave The impact on families is also significant: stress, anxiety, fatigue, and sick leave are often observed within four weeks of the onset of the illness.
The importance of vaccination Vaccination of expectant mothers, when recommended, appears essential for their protection and that of their unborn child. A vaccinated mother will pass on the necessary defenses to her child thanks to antibodies.
More information at www.pfizer.fr
Didier Galibert
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