Infant bronchiolitis: preventive treatments more reimbursed by the Health Insurance

Bronchiolitis is characterized in particular by an episode of respiratory discomfort, the signs of which are a cough as well as rapid and wheezing breathing. It can affect infants under 2 years of age all year round, but it is more common in winter; and this viral infection is very contagious.

It is a disease that is most often benign. However, very young children, especially infants less than 2 months of age, may have a more severe form requiring hospitalization.

The prevention strategy for bronchiolitis, established by the health authorities, has been strengthened in recent years thanks to the integration of two new preventive treatments:

• Monoclonal antibody therapy (Beyfortus), which is intended to protect babies from the virus that causes bronchiolitis during their first high-risk season. It is given to the infant as a single injection. Protection is provided from the sixth day after the injection and for a period of at least 5 months. This treatment was approved by the health authorities in 2022.
• A vaccine (Abrysvo), which is given to pregnant women from the end of 7^e month of pregnancy and until the end of the 8th^e This vaccine allows the mother to develop antibodies that are transmitted directly to the baby through the placenta; the child is thus immunized from birth until 6 months of age. This treatment was approved by the health authorities in 2023.

Currently, the Beyfortus and the Abrysvo are reimbursed by the Health Insurance 30 %. As of August 31, the coverage of these two treatments by the Health Insurance will be 65%.

As part of the annual bronchiolitis vaccination and immunization campaign, Beyfortus can be administered to infants directly at the maternity ward; in this case, the treatment is 100% covered by the Health Insurance, without having to advance any costs.