Asunción, IP Agency.- From the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), they highlight the delicate situation that is presented by the confirmed case of measles in Paraguay and the cases of neighboring countries, for which it is essential to immunize the child population against this highly contagious and dangerous disease. , but preventable by vaccination.
The director of the PAI, Dr. Héctor Castro, reported that children with fever or red spots may have measles. The symptoms that should also attract attention are: fever, coryza (runny nose), conjunctivitis, cough and rash.
Measles can be spread through coughing and sneezing. People can become infected by breathing air contaminated with the virus or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Recently updated vaccination schedule
One of the measures implemented by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, after the confirmation of the measles case in the Itapuá area, and as a strategy to increase protection for boys and girls in less time, is the new vaccination scheme .
This change deals with the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), which is applied, as usual, the first dose at 12 months of life, and in the new update the second dose is brought forward at 18 months.
The new vaccination scheme for the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is carried out as follows:
• The boy or girl must receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months of life; and the second dose at 18 months. This modification applies to boys and girls born in August 2021.
• Children 18 months or older and do not have a history of vaccination, administer two doses with a minimum interval of 1 month between doses.
• Similarly, parents of children 18 months and older pending receiving the second dose should bring them to the vaccination center in order to complete their scheme.
It is important to take into account recovery schedules and/or abbreviated vaccination schedules, which constitute a practical resource for pediatricians in their daily work. The Recovery Schemes document can be downloaded through the following link: https://www.mspbs.gov.py/dependencias/portal/adjunto/f81c48-Recuperodeesquemas.pdf
