importance of vaccination in adults
Vaccinations are given not only to children, but also to adults. For this reason, the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists (AEV) launched #ClaroQueMeVacuno, a campaign to raise public awareness of the importance of adhering to the vaccination schedule.
Campaign photography featuring artist Kalone Bay. Image provided.
He did this within World Immunization Weekwhich is celebrated from April 24 to 30, and in which he wants the campaign to reach adults, as seven out of ten conversations on social media show distrust in the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, according to AEV.
Therefore, the initiative will be distributed throughout the week through social networks. to combat hoaxes and misinformation about vaccines in children and adults.
Body painting for vaccines
For the #ClaroQueMeVacuno campaign, AEV collaborated with influencer Calon Bay, a body art artist who, in a video, paints on her body to reflect the importance of keeping your vaccination schedule up to date throughout your entire year of life. from babies to adults.
In the video, the artist makes numerous arguments about the importance of vaccination, always starting with the phrase that gives the campaign its name: “Of course, I’m getting vaccinated because…”
“Because they protect us even before we are born”, or “because they are important for growing up strong and healthy”, or “because they are the best way to train the immune system and protect those we love most” – these are some of the reasons Calon Bay argues are to show that vaccines are “not just for children” but for adults as well.
Extremely important after childhood
In this sense, AEB President, Jaime Perezemphasizes the importance of people knowing that different vaccines may be required depending on age, medical conditions, type of work, or even other social factors.
As such, AEV insists that vaccines other than children’s are “extremely important” among workers in certain sectors, as well as among people who are immunocompromised or have risk factors, or “among the millions of people who travel to countries every year where there is a risk of disease transmission.
Remember that some of the most important milestones in science and medicine have been achieved thanks to vaccines, such as eradication of smallpoxin 1980. Additionally, measles prevented more than 21.1 million deaths between 2000 and 2017.
And saved until December 8, 2021 456,200 lives during first year of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Spain.
AEV also emphasizes that vaccination coverage against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has been achieved, exceeding 90% in newborns and 80% in children under six months, which has reduced hospitalization of infants for bronchiolitis by more than 70%.
Required Campaigns
However, AEV regrets that the same does not happen with the influenza vaccine in children, of which only 30% of children aged 6 to 59 months have been immunized. Data he believes shows there is “still some work to be done.” done, and that actions like #ClaroQueMeVacuno are still needed.”
Consequently, this medical society calls on other scientific societies, medical associations and patient associations to join the campaign.
The initiative complements other actions taken by AEV, which are part of a line of work aimed at helping to increase vaccination coverage.