RSV surge in Germany bringing hospitals to ‘breaking point’ as cases rise in UK

On Thursday, Germany’s Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, announced that the government would be easing various regulations to make it easier for hospital administrators to transfer nurses to paediatric units to compensate for staffing shortfalls.

In addition, the German authorities have committed to providing an additional €600million (£515million) to paediatric hospitals over the coming two years in an attempt to get ahead of future seasonal surges.

Last month, meanwhile, the European Union’s executive commission authorised the use of the world’s first one-dose drug for infants against RSV — nirsevimab, which is sold under the brand name Beyfortus by AstraZeneca and Sanofi.

European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) chair and co-founder Silke Mader said: “Respiratory syncytial virus represents a health threat among infants, and each year we see the impact it can have on families, healthcare providers and the healthcare system. “

She added: “At EFCNI, we are excited about the opportunity to expand prevention efforts to all infants, as we believe this can help ease the current emotional, physical and financial burdens of RSV.”

Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1705339/rsv-surge-germany-stretching-hospitals-breaking-point-doctors-warn