There State-Regions Conference approved the immunization plan to protect newborns from respiratory syncytial virus (VRS), one of the main causes of bronchiolitis in children. The drug chosen is the monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab, which will be administered free of charge starting in November. The initial recipients will be children born from that month onwards, together with those born “in the previous 100 days”, i.e. from the end of July, and fragile children under the age of 24 months.
50 million allocated for equal access to medicine
Maria Rosaria Campitiello, Head of the Prevention Department of the Ministry of Health, declared: “We managed to allocate 50 million euros to allow equal access to all newborns already for this winter season.” He then added: “A result that respects the commitment made by Minister Schillaci and which we obtained with the contribution of the Regions. Collaboration and synergy prove once again to be strategic factors for strengthening health protection.”
The agreement establishes that lThe activity will start from Novemberat least it will last six months and may be extended based on results and availability of resources. The 50 million euro investment will be approved as part of the 2024 National Health Fund allocation by mid-November.
Syncytial virus: what it entails
Respiratory syncytial virus is a serious threat to infants and young children. In the most fragile, it can transform into bronchiolitis, causing serious complications and hospital admissions. Globally, it causes around 100 thousand deaths a year among children under five years old. In 2023, in Italy, 15 thousand hospitalizations for bronchiolitis were recorded, of which 3 thousand in intensive care, with 16 deaths.
Nirsevimab, the monoclonal antibody now available for free, is the long-awaited answer. It is able to reduce 90% of hospitalizations, offering immediate protection to newborns, without having to wait for the immune system to respond. Finally, newborns in Italy will be able to face the epidemic season with an effective shield.
Who will be able to receive the drug?
The campaign will involve children born from November onwards and those born in the previous 100 days. The most fragile newborns under 24 months will also be included. The plan could be progressively extended to cover the entire 2024 cohort, depending on initial results.
To ensure that all Regions have the necessary doses, a “solidarity transfer” mechanism has been created: 20% of the doses purchased by some Regions will be shared with those that are not yet equipped. Deployment will begin in November, lasting six months, and may be extended based on resource availability.
Opinions from the medical sector
Luigi Orfeo, president of the Italian Society of Neonatologywelcomed the agreement, declaring: “It is good to have found a clearinghouse with a solidarity mechanism to immediately ensure the availability of doses to all the Regions. This will allow us to avoid inequality in care across the territory, which would have been unacceptable.”
Orfeo also explained that the company producing the drug will guarantee coverage of 75% of newbornswith the integral mechanism that will allow you to achieve complete coverage. “The epidemic season is about to begin and the peak is expected between November and December. The campaign from the beginning of November will therefore make it possible to protect all newborns from risks.”
