Vaccines: towards a healthy society

respiratory infections They continue to be the third cause of death in our country. After several years during which this type of disease acquired a central role in society, the current scenario for the development of these infections has become complex. Respiratory viruses are also related to each other, with some being determined by global patterns associated with pathogen activity and characterized by recurring seasonality. In this context, the available tools immunize the most vulnerable population can help reduce its impact and prevalence worldwide, and develop effective public health strategies and control programs.

“There is competition between viruses, so more circulation of one can lead to a decrease in the others, as happened to us during the pandemic, although RSV and influenza virus usually circulate at different times to avoid competition. But, on the other hand, with any of the three viruses a bacterial co-infection occurs, usually with pneumococcus.”It is said Angel Gil, professor at the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid: during his presentation along with other experts in the field VII seminar for journalists Pfizer-ANIS, “Vaccination accompanies you at all stages of life.”

Thus, the professor continues, currently respiratory infections “They remain in a persistent endemic situation, and in the case of influenza we are back to a situation of seasonal epidemics, Covid-19 has decreased and is clearly endemic. In the case of RSV in adults, we still don’t have any real information, but it is very similar to the flu, so it’s reasonable to assume that if we made a better diagnosis, we would see that the situation is more serious than we estimate. . As for pneumococcal pneumonia, it continues to be the main cause of death from infectious diseases in our country.”

Maternal immunization is the key to being born protected

In this panorama with numerous respiratory viruses circulating maternal immunization This is a strategy that actively protects young children in the first months of life, when they are most vulnerable, and is also a protective mechanism for the mother. However, despite recommendations from national and international public health organizations, Vaccination during pregnancy remains an underutilized tool.

Specifically, maternal immunization involves vaccinating pregnant women to provide indirect protection to infants through antibodies that are transferred from mother to fetus through the placenta, reducing the child’s vulnerability from birth. However, this is a method of disease prevention that has not yet become widespread among the population. “Although Currently used vaccines such as influenza vaccine or tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (dTpa) vaccine have been demonstrated to be safe and effective. “Integrating maternal immunization practices into routine visits, especially antenatal care, may provide an opportunity to strengthen and improve vaccine confidence and uptake among pregnant women,” points to Dr. Carmen Pingarrón, Head of the Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology Service at the Quironsalud San José Hospital in Madrid and Associate Professor of Medicine at the European University of Madrid.

Except, Pingarron He adds that government assistance for the introduction of vaccines is key in this aspect, which is why they are included in vaccination schedules. “It is important to be born protected: many vaccines are not given to babies until they are at least 6 weeks old and often require two doses to achieve full protection, leaving a critical window during which they are at increased risk of infection.”

Unsolved challenges and upcoming advances in childhood vaccination

After the first months of life, childhood vaccinations continue to be critical to protecting the population from preventable diseases. In the case of respiratory infections, pediatric immunization not only protects minors at a vital stage when they are a developing group particularly susceptible to contracting certain serious diseases, but at the same time helps protect other vulnerable groups. due to the indirect protective effect that vaccines have by reducing pathogen transmission. Thus, by complying with vaccinations and carrying out preventive measures recommended by pediatricians in childhood, collective immunity increases.

Regarding respiratory infections, which currently have the greatest impact on childhood, Dr. Garces Sanchez indicates that “They particularly affect children under 5 years of age, who are most at risk of serious illness. For example, whooping cough is responsible for more than 80% of serious conditions requiring hospitalization before the age of 3 months, and in the case of influenza, the proportion of the pediatric population affected during annual epidemics ranges from 30 to 40% per year. overall rate, with hospitalization rates for healthy children under 2 years of age similar to or higher than those for people 65 years of age and older. There is therefore no doubt that these diseases have a significant impact, both in terms of costs to the healthcare system and from a social point of view.”

Vaccination of adults or how to protect health in the long term

On the other hand, an increase in life expectancy in Spain leads to an increase in chronic pathologies. Given that the protection of some childhood vaccines may fade over time, and aging weakens the immune system, vaccines become necessary to prevent infections as well as to prevent possible complications associated with diseases, especially in people with chronic diseases such as diabetes. , asthma or obesity.

“The presence of these chronic pathologies along with age is already a risk factor due to the phenomenon of immunoaging, to which are also added those pathologies (for example, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease…) that require treatment that affects the immune system, making chronic patients more vulnerable to infections, the most common of which are respiratory infections; “This is why vaccination in adulthood is so important to achieve healthy aging.”emphasizes Dr. Isabel Gimeno, head of the vaccine group SEMG (Spanish Society of General Practitioners and Family Physicians) and member of the NeumoExpertos group.

Thus, in the face of respiratory diseases, which have a significant impact on public health and pose a threat to the elderly and chronically ill, vaccination can improve our defense against pathogens and enable us to age healthier. Therefore, to improve vaccination coverage among adults “We must work with the most important players: the public, health workers and the media,” emphasizes Dr. Jimeno.