High coverage and focus on vaccination: BPA presented a report on vaccinations in Uruguay

Montevideo website

The Ministry of Public Health (BPA) presented the performance report on the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), an initiative that “has been a fundamental pillar of public health in the country.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on its website, this state policy “has guaranteed the protection of the population from vaccine-preventable diseases for more than four decades.”

Therefore, among the achievements highlighted by the ministry is the “high and stable coverage” in children under 5 years of age, which is higher than 90%. “This has enabled the country to maintain its status as free from measles, poliomyelitis and congenital rubella syndrome,” the publication reveals.

At the same time, the protection given to pregnant women is also highlighted: “The TdaP vaccine, applied during pregnancy to protect baby girls from whooping cough, has kept coverage close to 80%,” the MSP maintains. “However, influenza vaccination in this group remains a challenge, highlighting the need to address barriers that limit adherence,” the Secretary of State acknowledges in his report.

At the vaccination level of the country, inoculations in adolescents against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) reached a coverage of up to 70% in the first doses for women and 53% for men in different groups, “marking a significant progress in preventing HPV-related diseases. In addition, TdaP vaccination in adolescents exceeded 95% in 2023, the MSP noted.

At the level of the campaign against the flu, at the same time, the ministry achieved “a historic coverage in health workers, with a rate of 100%, in the most critical phase of the pandemic, in 2020.” However, in the following years “a significant reduction was observed, with coverage reaching 19% in 2023 in this group. “

“This contrast highlights the need to reinforce risk awareness and confidence in the flu vaccine, especially in contexts outside of a health emergency,” the MSP concluded.

“This report highlights that the achievements are the result of a strong immunization system, supported by an effective regulatory framework, the implementation of advanced recording and monitoring technologies, and the commitment of health teams across the country. It also highlights the appropriateness of community acceptance and participation, factors essential to the success of the program,” the ministry’s announcement concludes.

Montevideo website