Almost one in two babies is protected by the preventive treatment against bronchiolitis, Beyfortus, since the start of the immunization campaign that began in mid-September, Charles Wolf, director of Sanofi in France, told Agence France Press this Friday.
“We have protected almost one in two babies, we have exceeded 300,000 children” since the start of this second immunization campaign, declared this manager, also general director of vaccines in France at Sanofi.
“There are sufficient doses” of Beyfortus to “protect all babies born from January 1, 2024” in France, he said, with 600,000 doses planned for France.
The group has set the goal of immunizing 80% of babies.
Respiratory disorders
Bronchiolitis, mainly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), causes babies to have difficulty breathing. Generally it is not serious, sometimes it can cause visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations.
One year after the implementation of this antibody administered by a single injection to babies, the High Health Authority (HAS) has clearly demonstrated its effectiveness in real life.
During the first immunization campaign, Beyfortus had to be temporarily reserved for maternity wards while waiting for new supplies, faced with a madness that had exceeded expectations.
The dose, at the displayed price of 400 euros without taking discounts into account, is reimbursed up to 30% by health insurance.
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is a monoclonal antibody developed by Sanofi in collaboration with the British AstraZeneca, holder of the marketing authorization for Beyfortus and responsible for its production.
Source: BFM TV