As risk perception regarding the severity of COVID-19 decreases, low frequency of immunization in adults (Gettyi)
The coronavirus pandemic is not over yet, although the majority of the population views COVID-19 as a memory of the past. The SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 disease continues to circulate in most regions of the world and can still trigger severe infections and hospitalizations, especially in vulnerable groups, such as people with comorbidities or immunocompromise.
Although the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the international public health emergency in May of this year, it warns that the new subvariants of COVID-19 maintain the contagion capacity, and especially put those over 50 at risk. years, pregnant women and people with pre-existing diseases.
Given this scenario, the best health tools to reduce severe forms of the disease and the probability of hospitalization continue to be vaccines.
Almost four years after the first identification of SARS-CoV-2 in the Wuhan market, China, during this time millions of lives were saved in the world thanks to immunization. However, vaccines are often victims of their own success; as deaths and hospitalizations decrease, risk perception decreases and this causes populations to be vaccinated less frequently.
COVID caused 6.9 million deaths (direct or associated) globally and 770 million accumulated infections (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)
Argentina is no exception to this situation of decreased immunization rates against COVID that is observed in the rest of the globe. What is the behavior of Argentines today regarding vaccination? To answer this question, Infobae exclusively accessed a preview of the report prepared by the Argentine Social Debt Observatory (ODSA) of the Argentine Catholic University (UCA) that analyzes the status of those over 40 years of age regarding COVID immunization. in the country.
According to the results of the survey, although the majority of the population recognizes vaccines as a protection tool against coronavirus infection, nearly 75% of those over 40 years of age have not been to a vaccination center for more than 6 months. to receive a booster dose.
The general results of the research developed by the UCA team in collaboration with Raffo Laboratories will be presented next Thursday by Dr. Agustín Salvia, research director of the ODSA, and Dr. Solange Rodríguez Espínola, coordinator of the Human Capital and Wellbeing Program. of the ODSA.
The frequency of vaccination against COVID depends on the type of risk you have against the infection (Getty)
Here is a review of the four most notable points:
– More than half of those surveyed consider vaccination effective as a protective measure against COVID-19 disease.
– Three out of four people aged 40 or older have not received a booster dose for at least 6 months.
– The main reasons for getting vaccinated are to protect close people, follow the example of others and avoid a serious case of COVID-19.
– The main reasons for not getting vaccinated include fear of side effects, distrust in the vaccine development process, and the belief that the vaccine can cause serious illness.
At the end of September, the National Ministry of Health warned that 10 million Argentines over 50 years of age should be vaccinated again against COVID, but had not received their booster dose.
Despite the end of the international public health emergency, the WHO remembers the importance of immunization against COVID (Getty)
It is important that all people from 6 months of age have the primary two-dose schedule, and at least one booster applied in the last 6 months, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Nation. These boosters are necessary to sustain protection and prevent the development of severe forms of the disease.
COVID vaccines are available in vaccination centers, health centers and public hospitals throughout the country. In each jurisdiction you should consult the closest location.
– High risk groups for severe disease
Those over 50 years of age, immunocompromised people and pregnant women should receive a booster dose against COVID 6 months after the last dose (regardless of the number of boosters) and continue with this frequency.
– Medium risk groups for severe disease
Those under 50 years of age with non-immunosuppressive comorbidities (chronic diseases and obesity), health personnel and strategic personnel should receive a booster dose after 6 months and continue with an annual booster.
– Low risk groups for severe forms of the infection
Those under 50 years of age without comorbidities should receive an annual booster dose.
2023-11-17 20:58:00
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