Pediatricians recommend extending flu vaccinations for children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
Seasonal influenza causes 4,000 to 6,000 children to be hospitalized each winter.and between 8 and 10 deaths among children. Therefore hePediatricians recommend expanding the vaccination range from 6 months to 59 months (5 years), which is the current coverage, to all children and adolescents up to 18 years of age.
Fernando Moraga-Llop, a pediatrician and representative of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV), argued for this expansion by arguing that influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be serious and especially affects children who They are the main transmitters.
Moraga-Llop pointed out that the greatest severity is observed in children under five years of age and especially under one year. Vaccination is currently not recommended for children under 6 months of age, who are protected by maternal vaccination.
According to Moraga-Llop, in Spain Last season, there were more than 4,239 hospitalizations of children under five. Of these, 822 developed serious complications, 249 were hospitalized in intensive care, and eight died.
Until now, influenza vaccination recommendations are for the age group 6 to 59 months. However, the recommendations also take into account risk groups 5 years and older and adolescents with underlying medical conditions or certain situations that create an increased risk of developing influenza complications.
In addition, it is recommended vaccine for children over 5 years of age living with patients at risk, and people living with children under 6 months of age.
Moraga-Llop also recalled the importance of immunizing children against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The drug shown is nirsevimab, which protects against this highly contagious virus that causes most bronchiolitis. He also recommended RSV vaccination for older adults.
Children are at greater risk of complications.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca launched its Flu School campaign this week to raise awareness of the need to prevent the disease among children and achieve widespread vaccination coverage.
Flu cases increase as children return to school According to Ivan Sanz, head of scientific and virological surveillance at the National Influenza Center in Valladolid, the disease affects 10 to 20% of the population in a normal year.
The incidence of influenza is higher in children than in adults, and children are at high risk of serious complications. Two out of three hospitalized children do not have risk factors.
And influenza is an often underdiagnosed disease, explains this expert, who warns of serious consequences for children and adults.
The highest incidence rates are observed in the group from 0 to 4 years of age, followed by children under 15 years of age.
In addition, children are a fundamental factor in the chain of transmission of infection as they shed large quantities of viruses over a longer period of time.
This year the Ministry of Health reiterated its recommendation for flu vaccinations for early childhood education staff who care for children under five years of age, as they are considered a high-risk group. and suffer from possible complications if they suffer from an infection, as well as smokers.
Seasonal flu vaccinations began this week in some communities, combined with Covid-19 boosters using sera tailored to the new variants.
The campaign, which will continue throughout October, aims to reduce morbidity and mortality, and reduce the impact of these infections on health and social care capacity.E