Although in Spain most of the recommended childhood vaccines are financed by the State through the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), there are some of equal importance, according to the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap), that are not covered by Social Security.
That is, there are a series of vaccines that appear in the vaccination schedule of the autonomous communities, but they are not free (except for people included in certain risk groups). These vaccines can be purchased with a prescription at pharmacies by families who wish to have them administered to their children.
To be updated on childhood vaccines, in addition to the usual health provider, one can consult directly with the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP), which updates its information every year. vaccination schedule taking into account the available evidence. Given the appearance of new immunizations, they analyze their data to decide on their possible recommendation in the vaccination schedule.
The AEP paediatricians are working to have a single immunization schedule for all of Spain and, in their opinion, steps have been taken “in the right direction”, with the general inclusion of:
The pneumococcal vaccine in the first year of life. The chickenpox vaccine in 2 doses, at 15 months and at 3-4 years. The advancement in the age of vaccination of girls against the human papillomavirus. The inclusion of children from 12 years in vaccination against papillomavirus. The 2+1 regimen for hexavalent vaccines at 2, 4 and 11 months. This vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type B (the same infections that the pentavalent vaccine protects you from) and hepatitis B. Vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcus vaccine (ACWY) at 12 years, with a rescue until age 18. And with the universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine between 5 and 18 years and for high-risk groups from 6 to 59 months.
However, some requests are still pending. Many families cannot bear the cost of vaccines not covered by Social Security, especially when it comes to families with several children, which causes inequality in society. Paid vaccines are not exactly cheap.
What childhood vaccines does the State not finance?
1.Anti-rotavirus immunization in infants, which is only free in Castilla y León.
2. Meningococcal vaccine with the quadrivalent vaccine (MenACWY) at 12 months of age, which replaces the vaccine against meningococcus C and which until now is only financed by six autonomous communities.
3.Prevention of respiratory syncytial virus disease (RSV), which causes bronchiolitis, with the new monoclonal antibody nirsevimab. The use of nirsevimab is recommended in infants under six months and up to 2 years in risk groups for this disease.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics asks for a collective financial effort, on the part of the Autonomous Communities and the Ministry of Health, to allow the financing of a complete systematic calendar for children living in Spain.
What about the Bexsero? The vaccine against meningococcus B
There are two vaccines against meningococcus B, the bacteria that causes 65% of meningitis in children. These are Bexsero (for children from 2 years old) and Trumemba (from 10 years old). Both cost more than 106 euros per dose and two to three doses are required. This vaccine is only financed in some autonomous communities. In Castilla y León and the Canary Islands (since 2019), Andalusia, Catalonia (since 2022), and more recently, in Aragon, the Basque Country, the Valencian Community, Asturias, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia, Navarra and Madrid (for those born since November 2022).
Vaccines against rotavirus (Rotarix and RotaTeq)
Rotavirus, which causes gastroenteritis with severe diarrhea, is a potentially serious disease. The rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, are administered in two and three doses, respectively. The first dose of both vaccines is recommended from 6 weeks of age, but the schedule and age limit for administration differ.
Rotarix is preferably administered before 12 weeks, with the second dose before 16 weeks, and is priced at €93.67 per dose. While RotaTeq must start before 12 weeks and end at 32 weeks, preferably between weeks 20 and 22, and costs 69.50 euros per dose.
In both cases, the minimum interval between doses is four weeks, and they are not interchangeable. Since January 2020, in Murcia vaccination with Rotarix is free for premature babies.
Vaccine against meningococci ACWY
There are several families (serogroups) of meningococci and each family of this germ requires a specific vaccine. The most important are serogroups A, B, C, W, Until the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, cases due to serogroups W and Y were increasing.
Among the several vaccines available, some offer protection against a single serogroup and others against several of them in a single preparation. The most widespread in European calendars is meningococcus C, which in Spain is included in the funded children’s calendar.
In 2013, the first vaccine against serogroup B was authorized for use in the countries of the European Union, which has been included in some national calendars, and in 2017 the second. The two vaccines are the aforementioned Bexsero and Trumenba, which can be purchased in pharmacies with a prescription.
The ACWY meningococcus vaccines, Nimenrix and Menveo, are available in pharmacies. Nimenrix can be administered from 6 weeks of age, while Menveo can be administered from 2 years of age.
Since the 2019-2020 school year, this vaccine is included in the official vaccination schedule of the Region of Murcia for children aged 11-12, and is administered in schools. Adolescents between 13 and 18 years old also receive this vaccine starting in 2021.
The CAV-AEP recommends this vaccine for all children at 12 months and 12 years. However, this recommendation is only applied in fact in the communities of Castilla y León and Andalusia at 12 months, while at 12 years it is applied in all autonomous communities. For other ages, that is, children under one year old and between 1 and 12 years old, the recommendation is individual, and the decision falls on the family.
This vaccine is funded for those over 6 weeks of age who are in a risk group. It is also recommended for children older than 6 weeks who travel to countries with a high incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) due to the serogroups included in the vaccine.
The two vaccines available in Spain have a price of 54.64 euros per dose and can be administered on the same day as any other vaccine, including the meningococcus B vaccineaccording to the AEP.
2023-09-30 04:04:31
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