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Bronchiolitis Intensifies in France as Only 46% of Spring–Summer Babies Are Protected

Babies born before 1 September missed routine Beyfortus in maternity units, prompting an urgent catch-up call.

Overview

  • The French Pediatric Society reports that just 46% of infants born between February and August received the Beyfortus monoclonal antibody.
  • Public health surveillance shows Île-de-France in an epidemic phase and Normandy in a pre-epidemic phase, indicating accelerating transmission.
  • Maternity services began systematic neonatal Beyfortus administration nationwide on 1 September, with Guyane starting in early August.
  • Catch-up doses are available in primary care for the February–August cohort, with only 30% reimbursement by Assurance maladie unless families qualify for C2S or AME or have suitable complementary coverage.
  • France’s dual approach pairs maternal vaccination with Abrysvo and infant protection with Beyfortus, which authorities say helped avert thousands of hospitalizations in recent winters.