An “exceptional success”, according to the Minister of Health, Aurélien Rousseau. Implemented since Friday, September 15 in France, the new preventive treatment against bronchiolitis “has a very high adherence rate among parents of children,” the ministry says in a statement.
“Non-mandatory preventive treatments generally have an adherence rate that varies between 5 and 10%. However, today, adherence rates to this new preventive treatment exceed 60%, even reaching 80% in certain establishments,” the statement reads. saying.
Priority to maternity wards
Faced with this strong demand, and “in the interest of good management of available stocks”, the authorities are adapting their strategy “to give priority to the protection of children at greatest risk of being hospitalized.”
From now on, the 50 mg version of the Beyfortus treatment, intended for babies weighing less than five kilograms, will be reserved for maternity wards. Pharmacies will still be able to order the 100 mg version, which is intended for heavier babies.
This decision is justified by the fact that “babies under one month old are at greater risk of developing a severe form of bronchiolitis,” explains the ministry, without mentioning the case of babies in this age group who have already been discharged. maternity.
Hospitalizations “at a low level” but “increasing”
Beyfortus, developed by the Sanofi group, is a treatment that aims to prevent babies from becoming infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The latter is the main cause of bronchiolitis.
This disease, which causes breathing difficulties, is generally not serious but can become complicated and lead to hospitalization. Every year it causes an epidemic that, last season, was especially intense.
According to the latest data, from last week, bronchiolitis-related hospitalizations are “at a low level” but “on the rise.”
Source: BFM TV
