2023-12-15 22:36:00
the essentials As the end-of-year holidays approach, the Regional Health Agency (ARS) of Nouvelle-Aquitaine takes stock of winter viruses and shares data on bronchiolitis, flu and Covid .
On the subject of bronchiolitis, Sylvie Quelet, doctor at ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine, recalls that this respiratory disease affects children under two years old and especially those under 1 year old. “It is mostly benign and heals spontaneously except for children at risk: premature babies, low birth weight, carriers of chronic diseases: heart disease, pneumonitis, Down syndrome”. 30% of children under the age of two are affected each year. Deaths are less than 1%.
The ARS explains that the region is today in an epidemic period for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), the virus most often causing bronchiolitis.
“We are fortunate to be able to benefit from a new treatment, Beyfortus, especially for children at risk,” reassures Dr. Quelet. Good immunization rates of newborns are observed in maternity wards with Beyfortis. The immunization rate is 73.5% in New Aquitaine (58.7% in Lot-et-Garonne, 65.6% in France).
Flu: the epidemic has not yet started
Aurélie Fischer, pharmacist at the ARS, emphasizes that the flu epidemic has not yet started in New Aquitaine. However, she observes a drop in vaccine sales (- 6.7%) compared to 2022. There has so far had 1,006,006 vaccines sold (84% of buyers are over 65). “There is a gradual dropout,” regrets the pharmacist.
Covid: vaccination rates not sufficient
Concerning Covid, Aurélie Fischer notes an acceleration of the disease with an increase in visits to emergency rooms, hospitalizations and clusters.La Covid vaccination coverage among nursing home residents in Nouvelle-Aquitaine (2023 fall campaign) is 27.1% (22.7% nationally). The region is the best in France. Lot-et-Garonne and Creuse are nevertheless the worst performers with 16.9% and 16.6%. For Aurélie Fischer, vaccination rates are not yet sufficient to properly protect the most vulnerable people. Little new feature: the reminder is reduced to 3 months for those aged 80 and over and residents of nursing homes. And a single dose is enough for the primary vaccination. Finally, according to Public Health France, there are no worrying health signals for the latest Covid variants.
Barrier gestures for the holidays
ARS Nouvelle-Aquitaine fears the end-of-year celebrations when families and friends gather in confined places. She reminds people of barrier gestures like washing your hands. For bronchiolitis, she explains the importance of putting on the mask to care for the baby. She recommends that the whole family not cover the baby too much with kisses. It is important to ventilate the rooms well. Note that the two vaccines (flu and Covid), always effective against serious forms, can be given at the same time. Flu viruses mutate every year, you must be vaccinated annually.
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