Pasto, Colombia Hosts Nationwide Vaccine Day
This Friday, November 29th, the city of Pasto, Colombia, will join a nationwide effort to boost public health: Vacunathon. Organized by the Colombian Ministry of Health, Vacunathon aims to provide essential vaccines to people of all ages and backgrounds.
From protecting children from preventable diseases to shielding adolescents against future health risks, Vacunathon provides a vital public service. This day is particularly crucial for young children under six, adolescents aged 9 to 17, expecting mothers, women of childbearing age (10 to 49), and individuals susceptible to diseases like yellow fever and COVID-19.
"From the Secretariat of Health of Pasto we invite the community to attend all vaccination points located in the communities and towns of the city of Pasto and receive the vaccinations, and start or finish their vaccination schedule." said Health Secretary Mary Luz Castillo, emphasizing the importance of individual responsibility in contributing to community health and well-being.
Castillo also stressed the importance of the HPV vaccine, which is available for boys and girls starting at age nine. “It is very important to vaccinate boys and girls from the age of 9 with the HPV vaccine that prevents breast cancer in women and she explained that this vaccine also applied to children because they are carriers of the virus that develops cervical cancer and can be transmitted when sexual life begins," explained Castillo.
Multiple locations across Pasto will host Vacunathon, including the Civil Hospital, La Rosa Hospital, San Vicente Health Center, Tamasagra Health Center, and Medfam headquarters. Doors will be open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, allowing ample opportunity for residents to receive the necessary protection.
#PastoMejorSinPólvora
2024-11-29 21:12:00
#Pasto #vaccination #registered #Ministry #Health #Pato #Mayors #Office
## Pasto Leads Colombia’s Nationwide Vaccination Push: An Expert Analysis
**Pasto, Colombia** – This past Friday, November 29th, saw the city of Pasto become a central hub in Colombia’s nationwide effort too promote public health: Vacunathon. Led by the Colombian Ministry of Health, this initiative aimed to provide essential vaccinations to people of all ages, underscoring the critical role of immunization in safeguarding individual and collective well-being.
To delve deeper into the importance of Vacunathon and its implications for Pasto and beyond, we spoke with **Dr. maria Hernandez**, a leading epidemiologist at the National Institute of Health in bogota, and **Dr. Carlos Vargas**, Head of the Pediatrics Department at the Civil Hospital in Pasto.
### Protecting Vulnerable Populations
**World Today News:** dr. Hernandez, can you highlight the importance of Vacunathon, notably for vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women?
**Dr. Maria Hernandez:** Vacunathon is crucial as it provides a concentrated effort to reach individuals who might or else lack access to routine vaccinations. For children, vaccines protect against serious and sometimes deadly diseases like measles, polio, and tetanus. Pregnant women and women of childbearing age benefit from vaccines that protect both themselves and their future children from diseases like rubella and HPV.
**World Today News:** Dr. Vargas, pasto Health Secretary Mary Luz Castillo emphasized the HPV vaccine for girls and boys. Could you explain why this vaccine is so vital?
**Dr. Carlos Vargas:** The HPV vaccine is a game-changer in the fight against cervical cancer. It protects against the strains of the human papillomavirus that cause most cervical cancers. Vaccinating both boys and girls is essential because HPV is a sexually transmitted infection, and vaccinating boys helps break the chain of transmission and ultimately protects everyone.
### Community Engagement and Vaccine Confidence
**World Today News:** Dr. Hernandez, how does community engagement play a role in the success of a large-scale vaccination campaign like Vacunathon?
**Dr. Maria Hernandez:**
Community engagement is absolutely crucial. When people understand the benefits of vaccination and trust the healthcare system, they are more likely to participate. Initiatives like Vacunathon rely on building partnerships with local communities, providing clear and accessible data about vaccines, and addressing any concerns or misconceptions people might have.
**World Today News:** Dr. Vargas,what steps are being taken in Pasto to build vaccine confidence and encourage participation?
**Dr. Carlos Vargas:** The Pasto Health Secretariat is working hard to promote Vacunathon through various channels, including social media, community meetings, and collaborations with local leaders. We are also emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, addressing any hesitancy with evidence-based information and personal anecdotes from healthcare professionals and vaccinated individuals.
### A Model for Future Public Health Initiatives?
**World Today News:** Dr. Hernandez,do you see Vacunathon as a potential model for other public health initiatives in Colombia and beyond?
**Dr.Maria Hernandez:** Absolutely. vacunathon demonstrates the power of a coordinated, nationwide effort to address a critical public health challenge. I believe this model could be adapted to other vaccination campaigns, as well as to initiatives focused on other preventive health measures like screenings and early detection.
**World Today News:** what message do you have for the people of Pasto and all Colombians regarding Vacunathon?
**Dr. Carlos Vargas:** Vaccinations are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones from preventable diseases. Take advantage of this possibility to ensure a healthier future for yourself and your community.
**Key takeaway:** Vacunathon in Pasto highlights the importance of vaccination in protecting individual and community health. By actively engaging with the community and dispelling vaccine hesitancy, this initiative showcases a model for accomplished public health campaigns.
**Call to action:** Share your thoughts on Vacunathon in the comments below and learn more about vaccine schedules and benefits on the World Health Association website.
