MURCIA (EUROPE PRESS). The live flu vaccinewhich is administered intranasally a children aged 2, 3 and 4 in the Region of Murcia as of this year, it may also protect against strep A infection, according to a British study published this week.
The attenuated nasal vaccine, which offers “very good protection against the flu,” may also help reduce flu infection rates among children. The The Region of Murcia is a pioneer in using this formula, since it is the only community in the country that uses itas reported by community sources.
The study, published by UK Public Health Agencydetermined that the incidence of strep A infection was lower in pilot areas where this influenza vaccine was offered to children, thus this vaccination constitutes an important and broad measure of protection for the child population.
Children who catch the flu are at a higher risk of later infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis, and also of group A strep, so this finding gives them a new reason to get vaccinated. It is estimated that protection can reach 40 percent in children between 2 and 4 years of age against group A streptococcus infection, a pathology that has generated a recent alarm in Europe.
On the other hand, it has been shown that vaccines administered through the mucous membranes tend to have a better response than intramuscular vaccines, since they act directly on the pathogen’s gateway to the body.
The Region’s experience will be used to carry out an acceptability study which could be useful in future decisions and which will also serve as a guide for other autonomous communities.
To facilitate access to vaccination, the Region of Murcia has activated a web appointment for the vaccination of children under 5 against influenza through the “murciasalud” portal and the application for mobile phones.
On the other hand, the administration of influenza immunization in schools themselves, as well as other vaccines in the calendar, has also been developed as a pilot experience in several schools in the municipality of Murcia.
It should be remembered that children between 6 and 23 months will receive the conventional intramuscular vaccine.
The influenza virus represents a significant burden of disease in children under 5 years of age. Nationwide, between the 2013 and 2019 seasons, influenza in this age group accounted for an annual average of 58,640 Primary Care consultations.
68 percent of children under 5 hospitalized with a serious diagnosis were children without any disease or risk factor, healthy children for whom the flu led to hospitalization. Of them, 56% required ICU admission.
