Coinciding with World Immunization Week, the federation launches an awareness campaign on the need to increase vaccination coverage rates and consider these patients as a risk group.
The population over 65 years of age vaccinated against pneumonia does not reach 25%, while that of the flu is below 70% in that age group and barely covers 40% between 60 and 64 years of age.
The Spanish Federation of Associations of Allergic Patients and Respiratory Diseases, Fener, considers it essential to increase the effort to spread vaccination against infectious diseases in order to better protect respiratory patients. An effort that must start both from the patients themselves and from society in general as well as from the administrations to expand immunization against infections such as influenza or pneumonia and prevent their transmission, to which people affected by lung diseases are especially vulnerable, particularly those with serious illness.
Coinciding with World Immunization Week, which, promoted by the World Health Organization, held from April 22 to 29, the federation has launched an awareness campaign on the need to increase vaccination coverage rates, as well as to consider respiratory patients as a risk group in vaccination protocols and schedules. In this sense, the entity recalls that vaccination against covid was not considered a priority and that, even now after the worst moments of the pandemic, vaccination by age is maintained, without prioritizing them as a risk group, in the administration of the booster dose.
Respiratory patients are also not included among the priority groups to receive the Herpes Zoster vaccine, despite the fact that several studies have shown that pathologies such as COPD and asthma are risk factors for this infection and may contribute to greater severity and impact. of his episodes. For this reason, since 2022 the GOLD guidelines (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), promoted by the US National Institute of Cardiology, Pulmonology and Hematology (NHLBI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), include among their recommendations vaccination against HZ in all patients with COPD from 50 years of age.
pneumonia and flu
Regarding the most widespread infectious diseases and the greatest danger for chronic respiratory patients, Fenaer highlights that the population over 65 years of age vaccinated against pneumonia does not reach 25% in Spain, while that of the flu is below 70 % in that age group and barely covers 40% between 60 and 64 years of age, according to information from the Ministry of Health. Another worrying fact for the entity is that which indicates that only 62% of health professionals are vaccinated against influenza.
On the other hand, in a recent study carried out by the federation itself among respiratory patients, more than a fifth claimed not to have been vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, despite constituting vital protection for them, and more than 10% claimed not to have Never vaccinated against the flu.
Fenaer recalls that vaccines are one of humanity’s greatest achievements and save millions of lives each year. According to the World Health Organization, immunization prevents between 3.5 and 5 million deaths annually from diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and measles. In addition, they are not only a safe and effective way to protect oneself against infections that can be serious and even fatal, but they also protect the entire population by preventing their transmission and spread.
Fenaer’s campaign
Under the slogan “Get vaccinated today, protect your tomorrow”, the Fenaer campaign for World Immunization Week 2023 wants to raise awareness about the importance of getting immunized, especially for respiratory patients, in addition to illustrating with data how vaccination has slowed the spread of serious and fatal diseases.
Through 7 short animated videos, which he will broadcast through his social networks, he recalls, for example, that smallpox -eradicated in 1980 thanks to the vaccine- caused the death of more than 300 million people in the 19th century. Or that, before having the corresponding vaccines, measles caused 2.5 million deaths annually and poliomyelitis 350,000, which also caused paralysis in a large number of children. Other campaign messages highlight that vaccines can reduce pneumonia mortality by up to 75% in the population at risk and by up to 60% in the case of influenza.
About Fenaer
The Spanish Federation of Associations for Allergic Patients and Respiratory Diseases, Fenaer, is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of people affected by this type of pathology. Formed by twenty associations for patients with pathologies such as asthma, COPD, Alpha-1 deficiency, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary ciliary dyskinesia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia or allergies, it represents the voice of patients and promotes all kinds of outreach activities, training and awareness.
2023-05-31 03:28:28
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