Every autumn, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) returns to France and fills pediatric practices. The bronchiolitis it causes affects the vast majority of infants before the age of two. Since 2023, health authorities have added a prevention tool to the existing system.
RSV, a virus that circulates every winter
Santé publique France monitors RSV circulation by region and publishes regular bulletins during the epidemic season. The virus is transmitted through respiratory droplets and via the hands.
In adults and older children, it causes a simple cold. In infants, whose bronchi are narrow, it can cause breathing difficulties that sometimes require hospitalization.
A campaign organized since September 2023
A passive immunization campaign has been organized by public authorities in mainland France since September 2023. It concerns infants born from February 6, 2023 onward.
What HAS recommends
The French National Authority for Health evaluated nirsevimab, marketed under the name Beyfortus. It is a monoclonal antibody, not a vaccine in the conventional sense of the term.
Who is concerned
HAS recommends it for newborns and infants during their first season of RSV circulation. It extends this recommendation to children up to 24 months who remain vulnerable to severe illness during their second season.
What the efficacy data show
In the phase III MELODY study, the infection rate was 1.2% compared with 5.0% with placebo. This represents a relative risk reduction of 74.5%.
French observational data put the relative reduction in the risk of RSV-related hospitalization between 73% and 83%. HAS nevertheless classified the therapeutic advance as ASMR IV, meaning a minor improvement, for infants without risk factors.
Everyday measures remain the first line of defense
HAS emphasizes a point often overlooked in discussions between parents. Non-drug preventive measures come before any treatment, and they cost nothing.
At home
Washing your hands before every contact with the baby remains the most effective measure. Avoiding enclosed, crowded places during epidemic peaks also limits exposure.
Ventilating the bedroom every day and not smoking indoors complete these habits. These measures are consistent with those we describe in our article on indoor pollution and babies’ health.
Sharing pacifiers, cutlery, and glasses between children promotes the spread of the virus. Using a disposable tissue for each runny nose prevents a significant proportion of infections within the family.
When to seek medical advice
Breathing difficulties, refusing to drink, or a marked change in behavior warrant prompt medical advice. Following the child health schedule remains the best guide, as we explain in our article on baby vaccination in France.
Respiratory prevention and safe sleep
The RSV season coincides with the return of heating and closed bedrooms. Safe-sleep recommendations, which we detailed based on HAS guidance, remain just as important during this period.
Staying informed about baby product recalls is part of the same overall vigilance. For any questions about our products, our FAQ page answers the most frequently asked questions.
Sources
French National Authority for Health, opinion on BEYFORTUS (nirsevimab), respiratory syncytial virus in newborns and infants. Santé publique France, bronchiolitis surveillance and regional epidemiological bulletins.
