Stay Protected: Importance of Flu, Pneumonia, and COVID-19 Vaccines in Argentina

Facing the arrival of winter, a season where there is more viral circulation, the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology (SAVE) calls on the population to keep flu, pneumonia and Covid-19 vaccines up to date.

According to figures from the National Ministry of Health, As of May 22 of this year, 1.6 million people over the age of 65 had been vaccinated against the fluwhile, of those who are between 2 and 64 years old, but have risk factors, one million one hundred thousand Argentines have already received their vaccine.

According to official data, on that same date, 29% of children had received the first of the two indicated doses in this age group and only 19.6% the second dosewhile only 1 in 4 pregnant women were vaccinated (25,2%).

conspicuously, 4 out of 10 members of the health team, a group highly susceptible to contagion, had not been immunized. In summary, it is estimated that practically 6 out of 10 Argentines with an indication for the flu vaccine had not received it.

Regarding the prevention of pneumonia, although for this pathology annual or periodic vaccination is not carried out as in influenza and COVID-19the groups for which vaccination is intended are almost the same, which is why it is estimated that they are not being adequately reached either.

On the other hand, there are 33 million Argentines who received their primary scheme against Covid-19 and are ready for a booster because it has been more than 6 months since their last dose.

Do not minimize these diseases

“After having controlled the pandemic, many people believe that the risk has passed and minimize the need for protection against Covid-19 and also against other potentially fatal respiratory diseases and for which we have safe and effective vaccinessuch as the flu and pneumonia. For this reason, and especially in the current context where respiratory symptoms do not let up and overload the health systemfrom the SAVE we urge you not to lower your armsbecause we still have time to get vaccinated against these infections”, affirmed Dr. Florencia Cahn, infectious disease doctor, president of SAVE.

Faced with this problem, under the name “La Posta es Vaccinarse”, from the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology they are carrying out an awareness campaign about the importance of immunization against influenza, pneumonia and Covid-19 in all those people for whom vaccination is indicated.

From June 17, mobile stands will be available in different parts of the country where informative material on these three diseases will be delivered, inviting the community to consult with their doctor about the convenience of protecting themselves. under the name “Awareness Posts” These stands will help promote vaccination.

The bell

The initiative “La Posta is to get vaccinated” exclaims: “If you are 65 years or older or are under 65, but belong to a group with risk conditions, get vaccinated against pneumonia and the gripe in Health Centers, PAMI Pharmacies and Vaccination Points throughout the country”. You are also invited to access more information and the details of the days, times and places where the mobile posts will be by visiting the site www.lapostaesvacunarse.com.

“With this campaign, we promote nothing less than the stewardship of life saving vaccines and 3 o’clock they are absolutely free.

The flu and pneumonia vaccines are included in the National Vaccination CalendarThey indicated for boys and girls from 6 to 23 months in the case of influenza, and at 2, 4 and 12 months in the case of pneumonia; both vaccines are also indicated for all people older than 65 years and for those between 2 and 64 years with risk factor’s“, stated Dr. Analía Urueña, infectologist and member of SAVE.

The recommendations of the specialists

the vaccine against Covid-19Although it is not officially included in the calendar, it is free to apply and recently the Ministry of Health advised the administration of a booster in the highest risk groups if 6 months have elapsed since the last dose applied; for people at medium risk, a booster 6 months after the last dose applied and then a vaccination every year; and for people at low risk, the recommendation is to update their reinforcement annually.

“Son life-threatening diseasesespecially in the extremes of life, in the smallest and in the elderly, and in those who present associated risk factors such as cardiac, pulmonary, renal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, hepatic or hematological diseases or immunosuppression (due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, corticosteroids or malignant neoplasms)”, said Dr. Andrea Uboldi, pediatric infectologist, vice president of SAVE.

“For this reason, we insist that vaccination is a key tool to prevent severe forms of flu, pneumonia and Covid-19 and that all vaccines can be co-administered; you have to make the most of every vaccination opportunity,” added Dr. Cahn.

According to figures from the latest vital statistics report from the National Ministry of Health, 63,018 Argentines died in 2021 from diseases related to the respiratory system, of which 33,812 corresponded to flu and pneumonia. This represents 8.2% of the total deaths from known causes during that year.

With information from NA.

IG