the minister of Public health, Daniele Riveraconducted the opening ceremony of the national day of vaccination against seasonal influenza type A and B, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable groups: children from six months to two years of age, pregnant women, the elderly and healthcare personnel.
“We have to get the flu shot every year. The vaccine must be changed because the strains are variable “the official explained.
Rivera indicated that the vaccines were received by the Immune Prevention Management from Vaccines (DIV) and distributed by the National Health Service (SNS) in the Primary Care Units (UNAP) and in the First Level Assistance Centers (CPN), as well as in the more than 1,421 vaccination places that the country has. country.
As this is a seasonal vaccine, the goal is to administer it to patients between months of from October 2022 to January 2023.
“We have 125 thousand for children and the rest for adults. We give priority to everyone elderly, pregnant women and children from six months to two yearsthis is the population, ”declared the doctor.
The minister said the commitment to vaccination is “to prevent other people from getting sick” and asked pediatricians and gynecologists to encourage pregnant women and parents of young children to get vaccinated.
The head of health explained that the influence It is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the del virus influencewhich infect the nose, throat and in some cases the lungs.
“This virus can cause mild to severe illness that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Vaccination has been shown to be the best tool for the prevention of this disease “, abounded
launch event
The act of launching the day was carried out in el San Francesco d’Assisi Home for the Elderlywhere the Prevenal 13 vaccine was applied to the nearly 200 elderly people residing there.
The vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and consists of three components that prevent the circulating virus, which offer effective immune responses against the aforementioned disease.
For his part, the World Health Organization (WHO / PAHO) International Health Promotion and Life Course Advisor Bernardino Vitoy said that a large budgetary effort has been made in the Dominican Republic to increase coverage. vaccination through the acquisition of these 475 thousand doses of vaccines versus influence.
“It is worth mentioning that viruses of the influence constantly evolving e different strains circulate every seasonfor this reason, the composition of the vaccine is changed annually to provide protection against viruses and it is through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Rotary Fund that the provision of vaccines of high quality and efficiency ”, indicated Vitoy.
The minister was accompanied, among other officials, by the Deputy Minister of Collective Health, Eladio Pérez, and by the director of Immuno-prevenable by vaccinesAida Lucia Vargas.
flu processes
Minister Rivera admitted that in addition to the influencewhose season has just begun, there are others seizure of the virus circulating.
“Hay influence because the season begins, but there are also flu processes. What we want is for all children to be vaccinated and we will cover these patients, “she said.
RD still without anger
On the situation of angerwhose cases continue to increase in Haiti, the head of health said that in the country “remains stable, there is no reported case and we currently have no cases of diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), salmonella, or other causes. Everything is controlled because at this time notification with the controls we have with the Epidemiology Department is mandatory “.
Rivera has announced that the ministry he directs will continue with preventive actions in San Juan de la Maguana and Elias Piña.
The minister recalled that, during the 2010 epidemic, the most affected provinces were, in addition to Elías Piña and San Juan, Independencia and Pedernales. The strategy also included Barahona who finished fifth.
He reiterated the importance of washing hands, cooking food properly and consuming drinking and chlorinated water to avoid diarrheal and / or parasitic conditions.
Dengue within the safe zone
As for dengue, he recalled that it is endemic and that cases have stopped within the safety margin and that the work of fumigation and elimination of hatcheries and metal scrap continues.
“If there had been a warning, we would have told him,” he replied.
Vaccines pending Pfizer decision
When asked about the vaccines Pfizer whose shelf life had been extended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) until this month of October, the minister said he was awaiting indications from the pharmaceutical company.
“It depends on what Pfizer says“, he answered.
Rivera recalled that “the Sinovacs do not expire for now”.
