Vaccines aren’t just for kids… See which one you get!

Today is National Public Health Day, in which health promotion and disease prevention services will be offered within the Ministry of Health units. Among the most famous activities is the vaccination campaign aimed at all ages and with a special focus on vulnerable groups.¹

The aim is to achieve 95% vaccination coverage for all types of vaccination, with the aim of reducing the incidence of vaccine preventable diseases.² Some of the diseases that can be prevented by vaccination are: influenza, shingles, meningitis, hepatitis (A & B), rotavirus, whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, among others.

This confirms the importance of prioritizing the need to receive the vaccine at every stage of life, as Dr. Sigfrido Rangel, medical director of GSK, says: “Vaccines are one of the most effective tools to prevent serious diseases. For example, vaccination against rotavirus prevents one of the main causes of death among children under 5 years of age and prevents malnutrition in children of this age, however, other vaccines are for adults to strengthen their immune system.”

In a world experiencing demographic change, with a growing population of older adults (population 65 years of age and older to under 5 years of age).⁴), vaccination is presented as an essential tool in protecting public health and the well-being of the population. Therefore, it is more important to go to the doctor and public and / or private health services to get more information about preventive measures for various diseases.

Likewise, Dr. Rangel explains that “vaccination is a fundamental strategy to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, is protected from preventable diseases, thereby ensuring a better quality of life.”

The vaccines available in Mexico, according to each age group, are:⁵

• Boys and girls: hepatitis B, tuberculosis, rotavirus and pneumococcal disease, influenza, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Hib disease, diphtheria, measles, rubella, measles and COVID-19 (from 23 months age), hepatitis A and smallpox
• Adolescents: diphtheria, tetanus, HPV infection and COVID-19, and those not affected in childhood.
• Adults: diphtheria, tetanus and COVID-19. For pregnant women: diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19 and those not previously infected.
• People 60 years of age or older: shingles, pneumococcal disease, influenza, COVID-19, hepatitis (A&B), chicken pox, among others.⁶

Immunization is a shared responsibility that strengthens the health of our communities. Participating in National Public Health Day helps prevent disease and ensure a healthy future for everyone For more information, go to https://www.gob.mx/promosalud/articulos/jornada-nacional-de-salud-publica-2024 already https://vacunacion.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4-60omas_.pdf