Bronchiolitis vaccine arrives at SUS in November

The Unified Health System (SUS) will make available, starting from the second half of November, the vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), responsible for causing bronchiolitis — one of the main respiratory infections in children. The announcement was made after the signing of a technology transfer partnership between the Butantan Institute and the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, signed by the Minister of Health on September 10. The agreement provides for the delivery of 1.8 million doses by 2025 and ensures the national production of the vaccine in the coming years.

According to pulmonologist and sleep medicine specialist Jessica Polese, pregnant women will be vaccinated starting with a dose from the 28th week of gestation. “RSV is one of the main causes of hospitalization in babies and can progress severely, especially in premature infants and children under one year old. Having an accessible vaccine in the public network means drastically reducing the number of severe cases, relieving hospitals, and saving many lives,” highlights the specialist.

According to the doctor, immunizing pregnant women brings direct benefits to newborns. “When the mother receives the vaccine during pregnancy, antibodies are transferred to the baby, ensuring protection in the first months of life, precisely when the child is most susceptible to respiratory complications,” she explains.

Bronchiolitis is an infection that affects the bronchioles — small channels that carry air to the lungs — and is usually caused by RSV, especially in colder and rainier months. It is contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets from an infected person. It causes symptoms such as wheezing, severe cough, shortness of breath, and fever. In babies, it can quickly progress to severe cases, requiring hospitalization.