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Bronchiolitis: children called for trial of the first pediatric vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial Virus

A study will be conducted on 6300 children in Argentina, the United States, England and France.

A research group launched a call for volunteers for a Phase III study of an intranasal vaccine against Respiratory Syncytial VirusArnaud BRUNET - Gamma-Rapho

Every winter, the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is usually one of the respiratory diseases that become more prominent, especially in children. It is a pathogen that is the main cause of bronchiolitis in children and can generate severe complications, such as pneumonia, need for oxygen or hospitalization, in some cases, prolonged. To control the condition, there is no specific treatment for the infection and the recommendations are based on measures to control the condition, such as maintaining good hydration and the administration of monoclonal antibody oxygen in high-risk groups. However, there is a way to start preventing it, which is the vaccine for pregnant women, which is compulsory and free of charge in Argentina. At the same time, a team of scientists announced a new phase III clinical research study for an intranasal pediatric vaccine against RSV, and they are calling for volunteers to carry it out.

Globally, it is estimated that this virus is responsible for 30,000,000 episodes of respiratory infections and more than 50,000 deaths per year in children under five years of age. The virus is responsible for one third of deaths in the first year of life and more than 97% of deaths occur in developing countries, according to the National Ministry of Health.

Intranasal vaccine to be tested in children aged 6 months to 22 monthsBBC World / Getty Images

LA NACIÓN asked specialists from the Italian, British and Ricardo Gutiérrez Children's Hospitals about the current situation regarding RSV, and they all answered that, for the moment, they receive few consultations for this disease and that the current problem is dengue. "RSV increases its presence from May and June, when the cold weather begins. Today, our hospital's emergency room, above all, receives cases of dengue fever," confirms Eduardo López, head of the Medicine Department of that institution.
Responsible for the intranasal vaccine research are the experts of Team Science, an international clinical research center, which seeks to evaluate the efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of the antigen. The Phase III study will be a multinational, multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial, which will be conducted in approximately 6,300 children between 6 months and 22 months of age in different countries such as Argentina, the United States, England and France.
"Respiratory Syncytial Virus is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in young children, and there is still no preventive vaccine available applicable to children at present. This study has the potential to provide a new tool, such as a nasal spray, to protect them from RSV and its serious consequences. We are proud to participate in this important study that could have a significant impact on children's health," said Gonzalo Perez Marc, principal investigator of the study to be conducted at the Hospital Militar Central.
The study will be conducted to determine whether children who receive the vaccine will be protected against severe or serious disease. It will also collect information on any side effects that may occur and how a child's immune system responds to the antigen. To participate in the trial, go to www.equipociencia.com and fill out the form.
The new vaccine under investigation will be applied by means of a nasal spray (through the mucous membrane of the nose), and there will be two doses with an approximate interval of two months.

RSV Vaccination Campaign

On the other hand, the city started to apply the RSV vaccine to pregnant women from the 32nd to the 36th week of pregnancy on the 1st of last year. The vaccine is free and mandatory.
In this case, it works with the transplacental passage of antibodies during gestation that extend to the first six months of life, the time of greatest vulnerability of babies, thus reducing the harmful effects of viruses.
This is a seasonal vaccination strategy, between the months of March and July inclusive, does not require a medical order and will be available in hospitals and health centers in Buenos Aires. The RSV vaccine can be received together with other vaccines indicated during pregnancy, such as the influenza vaccine (one dose in any trimester of gestation), the vaccine against coronavirus (one dose in any trimester of gestation) and the acellular triple bacterial vaccine (one dose in each pregnancy, starting at one week).

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