What is bronchiolitis and how important is it to release the vaccine for pregnant women?

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) announced this Monday (1) the authorization of the use of the Abrysvo vaccine, developed by the company Pfizer, for the prevention of bronchiolitis in babies, based on the immunization of mothers between 24 and 36 weeks of age. gestation.

In an interview with ItatiaiaDr. Cristiano Galvão, infectious disease specialist at Vila da Serra hospital, in Nova Lima (MG), states that the measure is an important strategy to protect newborns against bronchiolitis, a viral infection that mainly affects children under 2 years.

According to him, when receiving the vaccine during pregnancy, mothers develop antibodies that are transmitted to the fetus, giving them immunity in the first months of life, when the risk of complications from the disease is highest.

Studies show that vaccinating pregnant women can reduce the risk of bronchiolitis by up to 70% in the first six months of the baby’s life.

What is bronchiolitis?

Bronchiolitis is an acute viral infection that predominantly affects the lower respiratory tract of children under 2 years of age, with the peak incidence occurring between 2 and 6 months of age.

Mainly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the disease is easily transmitted, just like the flu and other viruses, said Dr. Cristiano Galvão.

He explains that bronchiolitis symptoms include respiratory discomfort, such as “noisier breathing.”

In premature babies or those with comorbidities, the disease can progress to serious complications, including hypoxemia, respiratory failure and the need for intensive care in an ICU, explained the doctor at Villa da Serra.

On the other hand, bronchiolitis is not considered a serious health problem for pregnant women.

According to Dr. Cristiano Galvão, although they can contract the disease, the symptoms are generally similar to a mild cold.

Vaccination

The doctor believes that the release of vaccines can reduce the burden on the public health system – which is often overloaded with children during seasonal periods when the disease spreads. The virus that causes bronchiolitis accounts for 47.2% of hospitalizations of children under 4 years of age in Brazil.

“The expectations are very good, because bronchiolitis is actually responsible for morbidity, a very large number of hospitalizations for children in this age group from zero to two years, especially up to six months of age”, highlighted Dr. Cristiano Galvão.

“The expectation is that with the universal application of the vaccine to pregnant women, we will achieve a drastic reduction in bronchiolitis in children, which will relieve the health system. There will also be fewer children developing complications, potentially serious illnesses, because they will already be protected”, concluded the doctor.

The vaccine must be administered during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. The vaccine has also been authorized for treatment of seniors aged 60 and over.