city could be first to test pioneering child vaccine
New drug may halve admissions to hospital
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A pioneering vaccine could halve winter admissions to one of the north-east’s flagship hospitals and save millions of pounds, doctors revealed last night.
American pharmaceuticals giant MedImmune wants to test the new drug which could prevent bronchiolitis – the most common cause of admissions to the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital at this time of year.
The Medi-534 vaccine, which is made partly from cow proteins, will protect children against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the human parainfluenza virus (PIV), which cause bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
If the trial proves successful and the vaccine is introduced, experts believe it could free up to 50% of beds at the hospital in the future.
Dr Steve Turner, consultant in paediatric respiratory medicine at the hospital, believes the vaccine could be a “major” breakthrough.
He said: “RSV affects young children in particular, and bronchiolitis is responsible for around 50% of admissions at the children’s hospital during winter.
“It is a very big problem and to date there has been no vaccination for RSV. It causes difficulty in breathing and feeding, so we need to look after them in hospital to make sure they are OK.
“Bronchiolitis causes major resource problems – it fills hospital beds and usually ends up making staff ill which causes staff shortages.”
He said of the drug: “This is a fantastic discovery and would be a major advance.”
Bronchiolitis is common in babies and young children.
The vaccine is administered through drops in the nose, which trigger a natural immune reaction, allowing the body to begin fighting the viruses before they develop.
It is also expected to be tested at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow, and the city’s Southern General Hospital.
Aberdeen-based Professor Hugh Pennington, a leading UK microbiologist, said it has the potential to save health boards across Scotland tens of millions of pounds.
He said: “Bronchiolitis is very nasty for young children – it can get very serious and is basically one step away from pneumonia. They need to be hospitalised and it is a big financial burden.
“If we could reduce the amount of the virus going about, it would not only be good for children, but for the whole population.
“There have been attempts at creating a vaccination in the past but it didn’t work, so any new approach is welcome because this is one of the last nasty child infections left.
“It would certainly save millions of pounds. Even if the vaccine is expensive, it would save a lot of money.”
He added: “If this trial proves successful, this would be a major discovery.”
As the vaccine is genetically modified, Scottish ministers must approve the trial before it can go ahead. They are expected to make their decision early next year.
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