A new monoclonal antibody (nirevimab) of long -acting that offers protection with only one dose for the whole RSV period (October-March) and can be granted In all infants, but also in children up to 2 years old, high risk, It is also going to be released in Greece in the coming days, says the pediatrician, a PhD in the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, former President of the Association of Freedom Professionals of Northern Greece, a trainer-auditor of the ESO in the prevention and examination of infections related to FM infections.

As the distinguished pediatrician explains, this particular monoclonal – integrated into the National Vaccination Program of the UK, other European countries, and in the US – has shown high efficiency and significantly reduces hospitalization.

“There is an older monoclonal antibody, Palivizumab, used as a preventive treatment in special groups of high risk infants: prematurely, children with congenital heart disease or severe pulmonary problems. But this is given every month during the winter, which makes it difficult to use. “

To the question of whether the new preventive drug will is compensatedMrs Jetzi replies: ‘Since joined October 8th in the amended National Vaccination Program Children and adolescents will clearly be compensated. “

As EDY’s pediatrician explains, Monoclonal antibodies provide immediate protectionsince they are ready -made antibodies to the child.

“On the contrary, vaccines teach the immune system to make its own antibodies, which takes about two weeks. For RSV, vaccines are aimed at pregnant women (to protect the newborn) and adults over 60 years, while monoclonals are aimed at infants, infants and children up to two years. “

Vaccine for pregnant women – is between 32nd -36th week of pregnancy

The pleasure, says Mrs Jetzis, is that we have another innovation over RSV and this is the recently released vaccine in Greece, but is not given to children and infants, but to pregnant mom.

“The vaccine, which is within the national pregnancy vaccination program, is prescribed by the gynecologist, and is recommended to be between 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy to pass antibodies to the baby before birth. The antibodies produced in about two weeks from the mother’s body will protect the baby to be born. The pregnant woman should consult her gynecologist in order to inform her of the benefits of vaccination, but also on where to do so. “

What symptoms cause concern for RSV – who are most vulnerable

The respiratory syncope (RSV) is a virus that affects the respiratory system and is mainly circulated in seasonal waves – that is, mainly in autumn and winter.

After the restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, it has been observed rise in traffic in the community.

This is a virus particularly contagious spreading through sneezing, coughing, even contact with infected surfaces and infects almost all young children before two In years, Ms Tzetz says to add later that “it can cause a simple cold, but in special groups of the population, such as infants, especially under 6 months, in infants with chronic problems, prematurely, infants with congenital heart disease, or in Pneumonia, bronchiolitis with hospital admission, otitis, prolongation of hospitalization and consequently congestion of the health system.

Symptoms that cause concern is the respiratory difficulty, prolonged fever, dehydration and sloth“

58-80,000 children are hospitalized every year the US due to RSV

It is recalled that the World Health Organization has made five -minute videos under the heading “Small Lungs, Big Risk” that informs parents of the threat of respiratory virus as RSV is called in Greek. It is also indicative, as Mrs Tzetz says, that RSV is the leading cause of healthy infants and children under 5 in the US, where they are hospitalized by 58-80,000 children each year.

“RSV is a virus we know well, but until recently there was no tool for mass prevention. With the new monoclonal antibody opens a new chapter: a dose, a whole period of protection, fewer hospitalization. Parents are good to talk to the pediatrician about the new opportunities for prevention, ”says Jetzis.