The National Vaccination Campaign against Measles, Rubella, Mumps and Poliomyelitis proposed by the National Ministry of Health to sustain the elimination of these diseases, was extended until April 30, within the framework of the guidelines set forth in the last Federal Health Council (Cofesa). In this context, having passed an execution period (vaccination) from October 1 to November 13, 2022; a rapid vaccination monitoring until November 30, 2022 and two campaign extensions to December 11, 2022 and March 31, 2023, the Ministry of Health of Entre Ríos through its Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), highlights the importance of having a complete vaccination record. As of April 3, 2023, of a target population of 2,315,692 children to be vaccinated in the campaign; received doses 1,550,897; therefore, 764,795 remain to be immunized. This results in a general level that, despite the two extensions of the aforementioned campaign, 67 percent coverage was reached. Thus, the high risk of reintroduction of measles and polio persists in the country. Likewise, 10 of the 24 jurisdictions achieved coverage greater than 80 percent, leaving out of this percentage those with the highest population concentration. While the province of Buenos Aires and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the most densely populated, presented coverage of less than 60%. That said, an action plan was launched that postulates its finalization and final closure of the campaign for April 30. However, with the definition of the steps to follow, each one of the jurisdictions is proceeding with the risk stratification according to their calendar coverage, the National Monitoring Campaign and notification rates of febrile exanthematous disease (FEF) and acute flaccid paralysis. (PAF). Within this framework, a contingency plan is developed to minimize the risk of reintroduction of measles, rubella, and poliomyelitis and respond quickly to a possible event. In addition, the following are being implemented: strategies to raise awareness of EFE and PAF surveillance; active institutional and community searches in areas of epidemiological silence; conducting active laboratory searches in jurisdictions with an arboviral outbreak; vaccination and retraining of health teams for timely notification. Another instance contemplates the formation and training of rapid response teams mainly in urban conglomerates; training of teams in risk communication and verification of vaccination during the school year at the initial and primary levels. Data from the province In Entre Ríos, up to now, 69.4 percent of accumulated coverage of Triple Viral and inactivated vaccine against poliomyelitis (IPV) has been reached. 71.3 percent cumulative coverage of Triple Viral. And 69.6 percent of accumulated IPV coverage. About the campaign The strategy contemplates that children between 13 months and 4 years, inclusive, should receive additional doses of the vaccines: Triple Viral (against measles, rubella and mumps) and IPV (against poliomyelitis), beyond the previously received doses. It should be added that both vaccines (Triple Viral and IPV) are free, mandatory and do not require a medical order. In Entre Ríos, there is availability of doses in any vaccination, both from hospitals and regional centers of reference and primary care. We must not lose sight of the fact that vaccination is the only strategy to sustain the elimination of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and poliomyelitis; and to control mumps. Given this scenario, the campaign that began in 2022 became an opportunity to expand immunization against infectious diseases of viral origin. This responds to the fact that, at the country level, measles, rubella and poliomyelitis are diseases that no longer circulate – they were eliminated – but still cause outbreaks in other parts of the world. In this way, it seeks to protect the population with additional doses. It is important, taking into account the adverse effects caused by these pathologies, which in some cases are even fatal. Namely: – Measles causes in some cases pneumonia, seizures, meningoencephalitis or blindness in children under 5 years of age; being fatal in 1 in 1,000 unvaccinated boys. – Suffering from rubella, during pregnancy, can cause serious malformations in the fetus, including: deafness, blindness and congenital heart disease. – Mumps, in its most serious form, can cause meningitis and sterility. – Polio, meanwhile, causes difficulty breathing, permanent paralysis and can lead to death.
