What is the VRS and who are people at risk?
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October Brand The start of the VRS seasonthat is to say the syncytial respiratory virus. He is at the origin of a Very common and contagious infection respiratory tract (upper).
If it is generally not dangerous, it still represents A threat to certain audiences at risk Like prematurers, infants under 2 years of age (but mainly less than six months old), the elderly and people who suffer from health problems (lung or cardiac conditions, obesity, diabetes, chronic renal conditions, reduced immunity, etc.).
How to protect yourself from the VRS?
What are the dangers of the VRS?
Most adults and children who contract the VRS present Symptoms similar to those of a simple cold : blocked nose, nasal flows, dry cough, sneezing, light fever or even sore throat. Within 2 to 8 days, the infection disappears by itself without a specific treatment is necessary.
On the other hand, in these people at risk, The VRS can tackle the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchial, bronchioles, alveoli) and cause Acute complications (bronchiolitis or even pneumonia).
Thus, they are near 14,500 children under the age of 5 contract Each year this virus in Belgiumfor a bit More than 3,000 hospitalizations. In the most serious cases, the VRS can cause death. Globally, this is the second cause of death in infants (100,000 deaths/year).
It also represents A larger danger in the elderly or who have other health problems.
Why does Belgium advise the Beyfortus to infants?
On the occasion of the seasonal return of the VRS, Sciensano launched a reminder To invite parents to protect infants. “Babies born between February 19 and October 1 can receive the Nirsévimab. Nirsévimab is not not a vaccine, but an antibody which provides rapid protection against the virus, “said the organization on its website.
According to Sciensano, the Beyfortus made it possible to avoid “around 4,000 children’s hospitalizations last year, a drop of around 40 %”. He adds that “if more parents immunize their children, 1,500 additional hospitalizations could still be avoided”.
Since 2024, Le Beyfortus (Nirsévimab trade name) is reimbursed in Belgium under certain conditions. While the price of a dose is around € 777, parents who may benefit from a refund should not Pay only € 12.1 (even 8 € If you have increased intervention). Note that If the mother made the Anrysvo vaccine During pregnancy, taking the beyfortus by the infant is not necessary.
The refund conditions can be found here.
Our opinion on the approach chosen by Belgium in the fight against the VRS
In our opinion, Belgium has not opted for the ideal approach Regarding the fight against the VRS. To protect infants from VRS, Two options are available :
- The medication beyfortus.
- The Abrysvo vaccine (administered to mom during pregnancy).
However, the drug is a priori GOOD more expensive for inami that the vaccine. The price that citizens pay for for vaccination against the VRS remains partially secret. Ideally, it would have been necessary Evaluate the two products together And decide their reimbursement. By examining the costs and advantages of the drug and the vaccine as part of a single assessment, costs could have been avoided.
The Federal Center for Health Care Expertise (KCE) has also published the results of an analysis on this subject.
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