FLU VACCINE | Immunologists reveal surprising effects of childhood flu vaccination
Vaccine experts have urged improve immunization coverage before respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) And influenza in children for this autumn-winter season, taking into account the successes of last year campaign against RSV, which they intend to repeat for influenzaand the benefits that vaccines bring to both minors and their environment, as reflected in XII Congress of the Spanish Association of Vaccinologistswhich is hosted by Malaga.
“The message is clear: Vaccination is important because influenza and respiratory syncytial virus significantly and directly affect the health of children, but, in addition, also on them, pneumococci are more likely to infect them and cause pneumonia and acute otitis media.“explained the Deputy Director General for Prevention and Health Promotion of the Department of Health of the Valencian Community, Maria Garcés Sánchez, who is also a pediatrician and vaccine expert, in her presentation “Advances and new strategies in childhood vaccination, the path to a better future.”
During the Congress it was noted that In 2023, 90 percent of minors will be immunized against RSV. six months in various autonomous communities, making the country a pioneer thanks to its high vaccination rates. In addition, there was an 80 percent reduction in pediatric consultations and hospitalizations for bronchiolitis associated with the virus, the most serious disease in existence, especially in children under one year of age.
Regarding influenza, vaccination of children under five years of age also became widespread for the first time throughout Spain last year.. Vaccination coverage was estimated to be between 30 and 50% of the specified population, recording a significant reduction in incidence in the vaccinated age group.
However, It did not reach 50 percent of the population under five years of age. throughout the country, although in communities such as Murcia, Galicia or Andalusia. Despite this, a reduction in infection rates was found thanks to the vaccine, which was significantly higher in places where the 50% barrier was crossed.
“The Murcia experience has shown us that thanks to school vaccination, which increased vaccination coverage, no second peak of influenza has been recorded among the vaccinated child population when it occurred in other places where they were not vaccinated. Also in Andalusia, the reduction in incidence was significant, with vaccine effectiveness ranging from 60 to 70 percent,” Garcés said.
Unexpected consequences of the flu vaccine
During her presentation, the Deputy Director General for Prevention and Health Promotion of the Valencian Community Health Department presented other important evidence: reducing the incidence of influenza among the population when children are vaccinated. In this regard, Garces added that “in countries such as the UK, where inhalation vaccination has been used in boys and girls for many years, there is a clear link between vaccination of minors and a reduction in disease in the general population. “.