Vaccinating children under five against influenza before December prevents high rates of respiratory disease

The childhood influenza vaccination campaign is currently at a key stage in preventing infections. In the 2023/24 school year, from December to January, 75% of children attending school Emergency service from the Hospital of the University of Navarra did this for symptoms associated with influenza and other respiratory infections, and during the same period the majority of hospitalizations for these manifestations were admitted. Faced with this reality, Director Department of PediatricsHe Dr. Jose Manuel Morenostressed the importance of following health authorities’ recommendations for influenza vaccination.

Dr. Moreno noted that “the vaccine can be vital if a child gets the flu, and that immunization is needed now so that children can face the winter properly protected.”

Considering that, in addition, from the moment a person is vaccinated until immunity is developed, about two to three weeks pass. “When the flu virus starts circulating, it is helpful to have a vaccine. It’s better not to wait until it’s too late.”

Influenza is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by viruses that are spread through respiratory secretions and poor hand hygiene. Although prevention is the priority option, the pediatrician assured that Early diagnosis also helps prevent the infection from progressing to complications such as pneumonia or ear infections.

“The immune systems of children and older people are weaker. Both populations are at risk for these respiratory diseases because they have less protective capacity and are particularly susceptible to infections,” explained Dr. Moreno.

The specialist’s recommendation is to vaccinate, first of all, children aged six months to five years. According to the recommendations of the Spanish Association of Vaccinologists, At this stage of life, children are more likely to get the flu and infect other children and adults around them.

In this context, according to the director of the pediatric department of the Clinic of the University of Navarra, “the vaccine has proven to be an effective tool to protect the entire vulnerable population.”

Dr. Moreno emphasizes that “complications of this respiratory infection occur more often in children under five years of age and especially in children under two years of age, so they are a group that needs to be protected in advance.”

Prevention is a daily challenge

The most common symptoms of clinical influenza are the sudden onset of fever, headaches, muscle pain and general malaise. Sometimes there are problems with breathing or the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, younger children may develop sleep apnea or a reluctance to eat.

In addition to the vaccine, to avoid complications of the virus in the pediatric population, Dr. Moreno recommended washing your hands, eating and drinking properly, and avoiding too enclosed spaces. and with a large concentration of people. “It is not good for children to be in places where there are too many people during this period, outside kindergartens and schools. At the first symptoms, it is good that they do not go to school and stay at home, for themselves and for others,” the pediatrician added.