Prematurity, an intricate phenomenon that accounts for 11% of births in Colombia, has shed light on the complexities of neonatal care. In an avant-garde initiative led by the Colombian Association of Neonatology, Bogotá stands as a laboratory of innovation by implementing a pilot vaccination project with the acellular hexavalent.
This project, which runs from September 2022 to April 2023, has become a beacon of hope for those fighting to protect the most vulnerable population: babies born before 37 weeks of gestation.
The scope of this initiative is manifested in the vaccination of almost 900 premature babies. Beyond being a numerical intervention, this figure represents a milestone in the search for preventive solutions for a population considered high risk.
Comprehensive care in kangaroo programs, which includes immunization, is presented as a priority to guarantee holistic care for these little fighters. | Photo: Yarinca
These children, who make up one in ten live births in the world, face a high risk of mortality and chronic conditions. Data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reveal that, globally, 30 million babies are born prematurely each year, with 1.2 million of these cases in the Americas region. In Colombia, according to the National Administrative Department of Statistics (Dane), premature babies have totaled 62,739 between 2022 and April 2023.
Clara Galvis, academic coordinator of the Colombian Association of Neonatology, highlights the magnitude of this pilot project by highlighting the benefits of the acellular hexavalent.
Beyond its effectiveness in preventing diseases, the vaccine stands out for its better tolerance, reduction of adverse events and simplification of the vaccination process. This last point, according to Galvis, not only contributes to greater operational and clinical efficiency, but also represents significant logistical savings.
Acellular hexavalent, addressing diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type B and poliomyelitis, is presented as an integral tool in this effort to safeguard the health of premature newborns.
Comprehensive care in kangaroo programs, which includes immunization, is presented as a priority to guarantee holistic care for these little fighters. Furthermore, the need to ensure national availability of the vaccine is highlighted as a crucial requirement to address the geographical mobility inherent in the premature population.
The recent sanction of Law 2329 in September 2023 in Colombia marks a legislative milestone that could open the doors for the inclusion of the acellular hexavalent vaccine in the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI). This advance, following in the footsteps of successful experiences in Argentina and Chile, highlights the importance of collaboration between all actors in the health system.
The need to ensure national availability of the vaccine is highlighted as a crucial requirement to address the geographical mobility inherent in the premature population.
The urgency of joining efforts for the effective implementation of innovations in the field of children’s health, especially for premature children and their families in various regions of the country, has been highlighted by Galvis.
The academic coordinator emphasizes the prevailing need for collective action that guarantees that the fruits of these innovations in vaccination are not only accessible, but also palpable, for the most vulnerable population in all corners of the national territory.
In this call for collaboration and solidarity, Galvis emphasizes the importance of not limiting health advances to certain geographic areas or social strata, but, rather, advocating for an equitable and fair distribution of benefits.
2023-11-21 13:10:59
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