“Ministry of Public Health Reports on Successful Vaccination Campaign in Ecuador”

Quito, May 22, 2023

The Ministry of Public Health (MSP) reports that through the national campaign for an Ecuador free of poliomyelitis, measles and rubella, it has managed to vaccinate 2,192,660 boys and girls from 1 to 12 years of age. In addition, it monitors and follows up on cases that could present reactions related to the application of vaccines.

When clinical reactions occur after vaccination, they are called Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination and Immunization (ESAVI). Severe ESAVIs due to the type of vaccine, according to the manufacturer, could occur at a rate of 1 case per million doses applied. Some adverse reactions may also occur and these are mostly mild, self-limited and do not require treatment. the benefit of immunization being always greater.

To date, there is one patient who required specialized care in a Quito health home. The minor received the dose at an educational establishment in Pichincha where 4,119 children were vaccinated.

ESAVI are events expected after a vaccination process, the reason for the existence of the ESAVI National Advisory Commission, made up of experts, independent of the MSP, in neurology, pediatrics, internal medicine, vaccine-preventable diseases, and microbiology. This Commission analyzes the cases and determines whether or not there is a causal relationship between the application of the vaccine and the reaction presented by the patient.

Vaccination saves lives and has proven to be one of the public health strategies that contributes to human development and its benefits are evident individually in those vaccinated and also in the general population.