Good news for the families concerned: the Beyfortus, preventive treatment against respiratory infections linked to the syncytial respiratory virus (VRS), is now reimbursed for some children up to 24 months.
A long -awaited extension
Published at Official Journal From September 28, this new enlargement concerns children up to two years who are starting their second season of VRS and have a particular vulnerability. The reimbursement is conditioned on the evaluation of the doctor who follows the child. For pediatricians, this extension was necessary: only one dose is now enough to protect these young fragile patients before winter, bringing real relief to families.
Accessible and supported treatment
Depending on the methods set, the Beyfortus benefits from 30 % management by health insurance, with a covered rest in more than 95 % of cases by mutuals, including the AME and the C2S. It can also be administered in hospital as part of hospitalization, with 100 %care.
The treatment obtained a level IV ASMR, which corresponds to a minor improvement in the medical service rendered, but remains recognized as a first -line therapeutic option by the High Authority for Health (HAS).
What place in the prevention of bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is a frequent respiratory infection of infants, most often benign but sometimes severe, especially in vulnerable children (prematurity, congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, immune deficits, etc.). In its opinion of July 2023, the HAS confirmed the place of the Beyfortus as an alternative to Synagis (Palivizumab), hitherto reserved for very targeted situations.
Since the 2023/2024 season, treatment is recommended for all infants during their first winter season, and now also for some children under 2 years of age particularly fragile during their second season.
A complementary strategy for maternal vaccination
In parallel, maternal vaccination against the VRS (with the Abrysvo vaccine) will be available in France from the 2024/2025 campaign. The HAS recommends articulating these two strategies – passive immunization by monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccination – in order to strengthen the protection of infants against the VRS throughout the epidemic period.
According to researchers from the Pasteur Institute and Epidemiologists of Public Health France, the Beyfortus would have already made it possible to avoid more than 5,800 hospitalizations in the last bronchiolitis season, confirming its public health interest.