The importance of vaccination throughout the year according to experts

It is common to associate vaccination with cold seasons, such as autumn and winter. During these months, vaccination campaigns are intensified, especially against diseases such as influenza, COVID-19 and pneumonia. The main reason is that during these seasons people tend to spend more time indoors, which facilitates the spread of infectious diseases, according to GM Julia María Ruiz Redondo, coordinator of the Public Health 2.0 working group of the Association of General Practitioners and Family of Spain (SEMG) and co-director of SEMG’s National Public Health Group. But, reducing vaccination to these months is a mistake that may cause health problems. Public health experts highlight the the importance of being protected all year roundtaking advantage of any opportunity to improve vaccination coverage and protection against vaccine-preventable diseases, which may emerge or become more dangerous at any time.

One of the main factors that Ruiz Redondo believes is critical to improving vaccination rates access. It is essential to ensure that people have access to vaccines at any time of the year. Health centers must be willing to offer vaccinations beyond traditional seasonal campaigns. The chance it is another main reason. Health authorities must be alert to any situation that may pose a threat to public health, such as the emergence of new virus strains, and act immediately to control the spread.

The emerging threat of monkeypox

A recent example of the importance of vaccination throughout the year is the current situation moor troutalso known as Mpox. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent warning about a new strain of this virus which is spreading rapidly through several African countries. Traditionally, smallpox mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was transmitted from animals to humans, especially affecting children in rural areas. But, The recent outbreak has shown a worrying change in transmission patterns, also affecting adults through sexual contact and with more lethal variants.

In Spain, since the beginning of the Mpox outbreak in April 2022, the Ministry of Health has closely monitored the epidemiological situation, monitoring the general trend of decreasing cases. But, in 2024on August 5, An additional 260 cases were reported, mostly in men. The worrying fact is that 88.7 percent of these cases were not vaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown, which shows the importance of maintaining and reinforcing vaccination. , even when the event seems to be going down. It is essential that you follow the vaccination, both in pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis.

The pre-exposure vaccination has proven to be extremely effective. According to s report from the Ministry of Health in July 2023administration of at least one dose of the MVA-BN vaccine shows 69 percent protection against Mpox infection from the seventh day after vaccination and 79 percent from day 14. In addition, Health report in June 2023 that sufficient doses of IMVANEX and JYNNEOS vaccine to cover vaccination needs in the coming months. The The current recommendation is to give the vaccine preferably under the skin (0.5 ml) and continue to vaccinate risk groupssuch as people with high-risk sexual practices and health care workers who may be exposed to the virus.

The importance of vaccination against HPV

It is another case that shows the need to receive the vaccine throughout the year human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This virus causes several serious diseases, including some types of cancer, such as cervix and oropharynx. According to the Spanish Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (SEORL-CCC), up to 70 percent of oropharyngeal cancer cases in the United States are associated with HPVand in some regions of Spain, this virus is responsible for up to 30 percent of head and neck cancer cases.

Although HPV infection is transient, 10-15 percent of infections persistwhich may lead to the appearance of precancerous or cancerous lesions. Vaccination is a key preventive measure to reduce the incidence of these diseases. A study conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2017 showed that oral HPV infections in young adults were reduced by 88 percent in those who received at least one dose of the vaccine.

In Spain, the updated recommendations from the Ministry of Healthreleased in July 2024establish a routine vaccination of girls and boys at the age of 12 with a single dose. In addition, the recruitment of unvaccinated men and women up to the age of 18 and people with special risk conditions up to the age of 45 is recommended, with special instructions according to the risk group. These recommendations They stress the importance of ongoing vaccinationnot only in high periods of disease, but as a long-term preventive measure.

Decision

Ruiz Redondo concluded by confirming that Vaccination should not be seen as a special measure for autumn or wintersince the protection offered by vaccines is essential throughout the year, especially in the face of unexpected events or the appearance of new strains of viruses. Health professionals and health authorities must continue to promote accessible and timely vaccination, reminding the population that ongoing prevention is the best defense against vaccine-preventable diseases. Keeping up-to-date on vaccinations, regardless of season, is a life-saving health investment.

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