Catalonia rolls out vaccine campaign to tackle bronchiolitis in babies 

Catalonia's first vaccine campaign against the virus that is the main cause of bronchiolitis in children got underway on Monday. 

Babies born between April and September this year, i.e., up to six months old, can receive the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine at primary care centers (CAPs), with families to be notified by text message in the coming days. 

Babies born from now on will be able to receive the RSV vaccine in hospital before being discharged.  

The antibodies administered are, according to studies, 80% effective in preventing hospital admissions. 

RSV, one of the main causes of hospital admissions for babies, generates "a lot of anxiety" in families, health minister Manel Balcells said. 

Highly contagious 

RSV is a highly contagious virus that usually circulates during autumn and winter months; it spreads through nasal secretions droplets of saliva. It is estimated that 9 out of 10 babies are infected with RSV before the age of two. 

This virus causes colds, but it can also produce bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which can be especially serious in smaller, premature or at-risk babies and infants. It is estimated that RSV is responsible for 80% of all hospital bronchiolitis and 25% of pneumonia in children under one year of age. 

In a bit to cut down the number of serious cases, which cause a lot of distress in families and can lead to health problems in children during their early years, Catalonia is starting its first RSV vaccine campaign, which will last until March. 

Children up to two years of age with risk factors will also receive the vaccine. 

Salut, the Catalan health service, has bought 65,000 doses, with an overall budget of €14.1m. 

"We recommend that all families take part," health minister Manel Balcells, said at the vaccine campaign launch at CAP Maragall in Barcelona on Monday. 

Reduce admissions 

Pediatrician Carla Corberó said: "Bronchiolitis is an illness that pediatricians know very well. Being able to offer this vaccine will reduce hospital admissions, reduce the burden of care, reduce distress for families and reduce illnesses that we know many children suffer from after bronchiolitis, such as wheezing, bronchitis or pneumonia." 

Last winter saw a strong wave of bronchiolitis, with a peak that far surpassed that of 2019-2020. 

In the first two years after the arrival of Covid-19, there were fewer cases of bronchiolitis in children, a reduction that can be attributed mainly to masks and other measures against coronavirus. 

RSV caused 7,523 cases of bronchiolitis in children under one year of age last year in Catalonia, with 1,058 hospitalizations, of which 396 were in ICUs, putting heavy strain on the healthcare system, the minister said.