They launch a campaign to improve coverage of flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccines

The target population for influenza vaccination is about 9 million people (Getty)

In three weeks winter will begin, with the arrival of cold and less ventilation indoors, this is the season of the year in which there is the greatest circulation of respiratory viruses. Within this framework, the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology (SAVE) warned that the percentage of people immunized with the flu vaccine is around 40% on average, varying according to population groups.

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This means that 6 out of 10 Argentines who had an indication to get vaccinated against the flu have not yet done so, according to data updated to May 22. Until that date, the National Ministry of Health reported that 1.6 million people over 65 years of age had received the flu doses, and among the group with risk factors between 2 and 64 years of age, 1.1 million were immunized of people.

Influenza is a highly transmissible respiratory viral disease caused by the influenza virus, it can be mild, severe or even fatal. Among the main symptoms of the flu are fever above 38 degrees, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache and muscle pain, and difficulty breathing.

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The groups prioritized for influenza vaccination are health personnel, pregnant people (at any time of pregnancy), postpartum people, girls and boys from 6 to 24 months of age (they must receive two doses separated by at least 4 weeks), all those over 65 years of age, and people between 2 and 64 years of age with risk conditions such as heart, respiratory, and kidney diseases, immunosuppression, obesity, and diabetes, among others.

Many parents are unaware of the compulsory or free nature of the flu vaccine and do not apply it to their children (Source: SAP)

The SAVE experts pointed out that 29% of the children had received the first of the two anti-influenza doses indicated in this age group and only 19.6% the second dose, while only one in four pregnant women was vaccinated (25 ,2%). On the other hand, four out of 10 members of the health team, a group very susceptible to contagion, had not been immunized.

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In summary, it is estimated that practically 6 out of 10 Argentines with an indication for the flu vaccine have not yet received it.

Regarding immunization against COVID-19, some 33 million Argentines who received their primary scheme are in a position to receive a booster, since more than 6 months have passed since their last dose.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus. The main symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, respiratory distress, muscle pain, headache, and diarrhea and/or vomiting. Most people can experience a mild to moderate condition and recover without requiring special treatment, but older people or people with previous illnesses can develop severe symptoms.

In the case of pneumonia, although annual or periodic vaccination is not carried out for this pathology as with influenza and COVID-19, the groups for which vaccination is intended are almost the same, for which reason it is estimated that they are not being adequately achieved.

In Argentina, the groups at highest risk of COVID-19 should receive a booster dose 6 months after the last dose applied; people at medium risk should apply a booster 6 months after the last dose applied, and then a booster every year; the low-risk group must update their booster annually

“Having brought the pandemic under control, many people believe that the risk is over and downplay the need to protect against COVID-19 and also against other life-threatening respiratory diseases for which we have safe and effective vaccines, such as influenza and influenza. pneumonia. For this reason, and especially in the current context where respiratory symptoms do not let up and overload the health system, from SAVE we urge you not to give up, because we still have time to get vaccinated against these infections”, said Dr. Florencia Cahn , infectious disease doctor, president of SAVE.

According to the figures from the latest vital statistics report from the National Ministry of Health, 63,018 Argentines died in 2021 from diseases related to the respiratory system, of which 33,812 corresponded to flu and pneumonia. This represents 8.2% of all deaths from known causes during that year.

The Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology carries out the campaign “La Posta es Vaccinarse” to raise awareness about immunization against influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19.

From June 17, mobile stands will be available in different parts of the country where informative material on these three diseases will be delivered, inviting the community to consult with their doctor about the convenience of protecting themselves. Under the name ‘Awareness Posts’ these stands will contribute to promoting vaccination. The campaign provides information and details of the days, times and places where the mobile posts will be by visiting the site www.lapostaesvacunarse.com

The flu or influenza is a highly transmissible respiratory viral disease (Getty)

“We promote the administration of life-saving vaccines and all three are absolutely free. The flu and pneumonia vaccines are included in the National Vaccination Calendar, they are indicated for boys and girls from 6 to 23 months in the case of the flu, and at 2, 4 and 12 months in the case of pneumonia ; both vaccines are also indicated for all people over 65 years of age and for those between 2 and 64 years of age with risk factors”, stated Dr. Analía Urueña, infectologist and head member of SAVE.

The vaccine against COVID-19, although it is not officially included in the schedule, is free to apply and recently the Ministry of Health advised the administration of a booster in the highest risk groups if 6 months have elapsed since the last dose applied .

For people at medium risk, a booster 6 months after the last dose applied and then a vaccination every year, and for people at low risk the recommendation is to update their booster annually.

“They are potentially fatal diseases, especially at the extremes of life, in the smallest and in the elderly, and in those who present associated risk factors such as heart, lung, kidney, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, hepatic or hematological or immunosuppression (due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, corticosteroids or malignant neoplasms)”, said Dr. Andrea Uboldi, pediatric infectologist, vice president of SAVE.

For her part, Dr. Cahn remarked that “vaccination is a key tool to prevent severe forms of influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19 and that all vaccines can be co-administered and every vaccination opportunity must be made the most of”.

Keep reading:

Influenza vaccination: they alert that risk groups should apply the doses in the face of an increasingly extensive influenza season All the necessary vaccines to face respiratory diseases that increase in winter What are the challenges to promote vaccination in the region, according to an expert from the Department US Health

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