Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Campaign: Importance and Benefits

The president of the Paraguayan Society of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Fernando Galeano, highlighted the incorporation of the tetravalent for vaccination against influenza, for which a massive immunization is expected in the campaign that starts on Monday, April 10.

“It is an annual campaign that seeks to lower the incidence and especially the severity of cases of influenza. And this year is really important because the vaccine that they are going to apply to us is quadrivalent, ”he told 680 AM.

The biologic protects against four serotypes or variants of the virus. This seeks to improve coverage as well as guarantee protection to the population at risk. “It is an effort that must be appreciated. And the good I think must also be valued. It starts on the 10th and the idea is that we all get vaccinated as quickly as possible, ”he indicated.

He mentioned that there are scientific studies that report that vaccination campaigns “the faster people get massively vaccinated, the better it works.” “It is an ambitious goal, but hopefully we can all get vaccinated by April, especially the population at risk,” she said.

It seeks to cover mainly pregnant women, the elderly and children under three years of age. “It is aimed above all at them. Also to the immunosuppressed, transplanted, people who have defense problems, cardiovascular, etc. They are people who must be protected and everything is directed towards them, ”he remarked.

It may interest you: Remember that the vaccination campaign begins on April 10

He clarified that vaccination is also aimed at everyone, although the population at risk should be prioritized. Doctor Galeano spoke of the goodness of the new dose that will protect against four variants of influenza. “It is the same vaccine, but directed at two, influenza A and influenza B are the two great families. The A vaccine again is directed against two serotypes of A and B, our current vaccine is also directed against two serotypes of B ”, he referred.

Previously, the vaccines that were purchased had two of the A and a single serotype of the B. “Now, this vaccine has that extra protection against one more serotype of the B. That’s why we have two A and two B, that’s why we call it quadrivalent, for protection against four serotypes in total”, he pointed out.

The previous vaccine that the Ministry of Health purchased for public services was only against three serotypes: two of A and only one of B. “If you wanted that extra protection from B, you went to the private sector, bought the vaccine and was applied. So, that investment was made, the amount of money spent is a little more on the vaccine and protection was improved, ”he remarked.

Finally, he indicated that the idea is that “this extra protection” translates into fewer people going to hospitals for influenza, less hospitalization and deaths. “You have to remember that influenza can also kill, especially in pregnant women, the elderly, and children and adults who are at home,” she warned.

Also read: In Paso Yobái the Easter party will have the raffle for a gold ingot as its attraction

2023-08-17 15:23:36
#Nación #Teresa #Barán #underlines #prevention #training #assuming #Health #portfolio