The campaign, which began on 2 October at the Luxembourg Maternity Hospital, primarily targets newborns born during the bronchiolitis season, spanning from early October to late March. Immediate protection is crucial for these infants upon leaving the maternity hospital, and the preventive treatment, known as “Beyfortus,” is administered through intramuscular injection into the thigh.
It is worth noting that Beyfortus is not a traditional vaccine but rather a medication comprising antibodies. This innovative approach spares newborns from producing antibodies independently as the required antibodies are directly administered, according to Dr Isabel De La Fuente, an infectious diseases specialist at the Paediatric Clinic.
In line with recommendations from the Superior Council for Infectious Diseases, babies born between 1 January and 30 September 2023 should also receive immunisation, along with at-risk children under two years old.
Dr De La Fuente explains, “Beyfortus should reduce the risk of hospitalisation for bronchiolitis by 80%. It’s a medicine with a high safety profile.” Extensive testing involving thousands of children showed no serious side effects, with only mild occurrences such as fever in fewer than one child out of 200.
The initial response from parents during the first two days of the campaign at the maternity hospital has been highly positive, with all newborns receiving immunisation.
At the Bohler Clinic maternity unit in Kirchberg, the campaign will start on 9 October. Parents will eventually also have the option to immunise their babies through their paediatrician. For the time being, however, maternity units will be prioritised for the antibody-based treatment.
In 2022, Luxembourg experienced a severe bronchiolitis epidemic, resulting in the hospitalisation of 421 young children due to respiratory infections between October 2022 and March 2023. Three-quarters of these cases required respiratory assistance, while 41 children needed intensive care.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
