Experts urge vaccinations to be seen as another healthy habit

Several experts in the field of vaccinology called for understanding this Saturday vaccine “How healthy lifestyle habit more, as well as exercise or eat a balanced diet,” and decided to promote vaccination among adults and increase coverage in all age groups. It should be noted that last winter, the flu shot prevented 77% of hospitalizations in children under five.

Promote a vaccination culture, guide patients through the vaccination process, and continue to spread the word that vaccines are safer medicines There are some aspects on which the participants of the twelfth Congress of the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists (AEV), which ended this Saturday in Malaga, agreed.

“Vaccination is not question faith, but science. Vaccines saved us from Covid-19, they solved polio and eradicated smallpox, and we must not forget that,” explained Rosario Caceres, co-chair of the congress organizing committee, organizers said in a statement.

Experts stressed that healthcare professionals need to be there for their patients so they can ask them questions and understand why they have them.

In this sense, experts emphasize that social determinants play a fundamental role in access to vaccination, especially for most vulnerable groupsand that they need to be taken into account when developing vaccination strategies.

During the congress, vaccination of patients with chronic diseases and immunosuppression, who are most susceptible to serious complications from the disease, was also discussed.

“May be low risk perceptionbut there are still numerous hospitalizations due to flu and Covid-19. We would like to see more people vaccinated than vaccinated,” said David Moreno, co-president of the organizing committee.

Throughout the history of vaccines saved millions of lives and in Europe alone, the Covid-19 vaccine is estimated to have saved 1.4 million people.

Another achievement cited at the congress was the immunization of infants against respiratory syncytial virus, which in 2023 reduced the number of consultations and hospitalizations due to bronchiolitis caused by it by 80%.

In addition, health workers emphasized the positive impact of the vaccine. flua disease that sometimes underratedas it is estimated that more than 50% of children admitted to the hospital due to influenza were previously healthy.

On the final day of the congress, we reflected on the role of communication in the success of vaccination strategies. Nails effective communication skills They play a key role in improving the dissemination of scientific information and debunking misconceptions about vaccines.

“Communication between patient and health care provider is important. We are the ones patients trust most when it comes to getting vaccinated,” said Gloria Mirada, vice president of AEV.

Vaccines for pregnant women and healthcare workers, artificial intelligence the use of vaccines or the prevention of respiratory diseases were other topics discussed at this meeting.