The Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya has launched the immunization campaign against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent bronchiolitis in babies up to 6 months old, in which the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital Foundation Martorell (FHSJDM) is actively involved. This campaign, which is being carried out for the second consecutive year, is estimated to prevent 3 out of 4 cases of RSV infection.
In the Barcelona Metropolitan South Health Region, which includes Baix Llobregat and L’Hospitalet, more than 8,200 doses will be distributed, a number that will be adjusted according to needs until March 2025. Babies born between April and September this year they will be immunized in primary care centers (CAP), while those born between October 1, 2024 and March 2025 will receive the dose in hospital before being discharged.
Last year, the campaign was a success, with 87.8% coverage in the South Metropolitan Region, identical to that of the whole of Catalonia, and managed to reduce hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in babies to 67.7% . Likewise, the impact on primary care was notable, reducing visits for this infection by half.
RSV infection is one of the main causes of hospitalization in children under 5 years of age, and is particularly dangerous in the first months of life, with complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. This campaign is a key measure to protect babies in their first months, a time when they are most vulnerable to serious respiratory infections.
At FHSJDM we remain committed to the health of the little ones and encourage families to vaccinate their babies to ensure the best protection.
Source: martorelldigital.cat
