Measles, whooping cough and diphtheria: vaccines that save lives
vaccine represent one of the most notable achievements in healthcare 20th century. In accordance with Ministry of Healthvaccination is the best tool to prevent some infectious diseasesand also one of the measures that saved the most lives in history.
To emphasize the importance that vaccination has implications for health and overall well-being at all stages of life and is celebrated every year throughout Europein the last week of April, European Immunization Week (ENI). In this way, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of immunization for the overall health and well-being of the European population.
In turn, every April 29 International Day of Immunologyto spread the importance Immunology as a science, as well as raising public awareness of the impact of this scientific discipline in eradicating infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. In honor of this international day, education and awareness campaigns are being carried out about importance of immunology.
Between March 2023 and the end of February 2024, at least 5,770 cases of measles were reported, including at least five deaths.
Today, every country in the world has a national immunizationAnd vaccine They are considered among the safest, most cost-effective and successful public health interventions to prevent deaths and improve lives. From an initial focus on protection against six vaccine-preventable diseases of childhood (Bacillus Calmette-Guerindiphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio and measles) new ones appeared more than four decades ago vaccine increased the breadth of protection provided immunization.
In this context European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) publishes data showing an increase in preventable diseases through vaccinationHow measles And choking coughafter levels have decreased for pandemic Covid-19.
Thus, the number of cases measles began to grow in 2023, and this trend continued in several state members European Union. At least 5,770 cases were reported from March 2023 to the end of February 2024 measles, including at least five deaths. The greatest risk is in children under one year of age because they are too young to be treated. grafted. Therefore they must be protected public immunity.
Taking into account choking coughSince mid-2023, a number of countries in the region have registered an increase in incidence. European Union and from EEAand preliminary data indicates a more than tenfold increase in cases in 2023 and 2024 compared to 2022 and 2021.
Newborns and infants or those who are not fully grafted, are at greater risk of becoming severely affected by these diseases and dying. To better protect them, it is important to ensure that everyone vaccine recommended to contain choking cough are entered on time. Vaccination during pregnancy can also protect young children.
On the other hand, from the second half of 2022 the growth diphtheria among immigrants in several countries European Union And EEA. State vaccination was available in 39% of all cases and in 75% of cases with status vaccination was not known grafted or were grafted with an unknown number of doses.
This situation is alarming because vaccination With diphtheria toxoid This is the only effective method of preventing toxin-mediated diseases. Achieve and maintain high coverage vaccination among the population is important to prevent toxigenic diphtheria cause serious or fatal illness.
Regarding invasive meningococcal disease (AMY), the incidence in 2022 increased to 0.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants following a decrease in incidence AMY in 2020 and 2021. Age-specific rates were highest in infants under one year of age, followed by children aged one to four years and children aged 15 to 24 years.
Continuously strengthening oversight of AMY It is important to evaluate the impact immunization programs ongoing support for decision makers regarding implementation or adaptation vaccination strategies during lifelong immunization.
Finally, Annual epidemiological report The 2022 Mumps Study found that there was a shift toward younger age groups for mumps cases this year. piggy, on average ten years compared to the previous four years (average 13 to 21 years). In addition, reporting rates among men were higher than among women in younger age groups and slightly lower among men than among women among adults.
Among reported cases with known measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination status, 24% were unvaccinated.
Among the registered cases with status vaccination famous with measles vaccine, piggy and rubella (MMR), 24% were not grafted. Highest percentage of cases not vaccinated This occurred in the group of people over 30 years of age (71%), followed by people aged 20 to 29 years (38%) and people under one year of age (under age vaccination systematic against piggy25%).
Almost a third of cases with reported complications (29%) with vaccination known occurred among cases not grafted, most of whom were in the 30+ age group. Continued high-quality surveillance, outbreak investigations, and increased efforts to increase coverage of both routine childhood immunization and catch-up campaigns targeting adolescents and adults are key tools for closely monitoring disease epidemiology. piggy V European Union And EEA.
This highlights the importance vaccinationa critical component of primary health care, an undeniable human right, and one of the best economic investments in health care. vaccine They are also needed to prevent and control outbreaks infectious diseasesthey are the basis health safety worldwide and will become a vital tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, according to World Health Organization.