Batteries are related to the health of children and teenagers!Protect them during this back-to-school by updating your vaccination schedule

There have been more than 1,300 cases of the vaccine-preventable disease so far this year, according to the National Institutes of Health (INS). Currently, Colombia’s Expanded Program on Immunization (PAI) has 21 vaccines that protect against 26 diseases.

August 4, 2023;- The mid-year holidays are over and thousands of children and young people from across the country are returning to school, creating an ideal moment for parents and carers to stop en route to check on the status of their children’s vaccination plans and prevent classrooms from becoming A place where infectious diseases spread and pose health risks.

One such disease is hepatitis, and the World Health Organization (WHO) observes World Day every year on 28 July to reflect on the progress and achievements made in the fight against this dangerous disease. This pathology is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by one of the five hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, or E) and occurs during childbirth through food, contaminated water from Mother to baby transmission. or giving birth, or sharing personal hygiene products.

In addition to understanding the form of infection, the World Health Organization has stressed the importance of recognizing its symptoms, which include fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.

“Returning to the classroom is an invitation for us to continue protecting the health of children and young people. Schools are ideal settings for outbreaks of communicable diseases such as hepatitis A or other viruses and bacteria such as whooping cough, diphtheria, meningococcus or influenza because of the high movement of people and Interacting permanently with different people in a closed space”, emphasizes Dr. Angélica García, Medical Director of Sanofi Vaccines Franchise.

In this regard, the National Institutes of Health (INS) Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin No. 27 highlighted that 1,299 cases of hepatitis have been reported so far in 2023, and diseases such as whooping cough, tetanus, diphtheria and meningococcal disease have been reported so far this year. More than 1,330 cases.

As far as meningococci are concerned, it should be emphasized that, according to the entity, 640 cases of bacterial meningitis have been reported this year, a situation that raises alarms due to the lethal nature of this bacterium.

This panorama highlights the importance of childhood vaccinations, especially the booster doses that must be given to minors aged 5 to 11 to prevent such diseases. Also, it must be remembered that Colombia has an Expanded Program on Immunization (PAI) that includes 21 vaccines against 26 diseases.

However, parents should be aware that there are supplemental vaccines that are not included in the EPI but are associated with protection against fatal diseases or diseases with devastating sequelae. For example, biologics against 13 serotypes of pneumococcus, quadrivalent influenza, ACWY meningococcus, and cell-free hexavalent influenza, among others.

This is why adherence to the childhood and adult vaccination schedule is more than just having a full PAI card; an educational campaign is needed to instruct parents and educational institutions on supplementary vaccinations as the best way to prevent infection in children and adults.

In conclusion, Dr. Garcia recalled, “Vaccination is everyone’s responsibility, and as family members and caregivers, we are committed to promoting the well-being of children and adolescents through protective measures such as vaccination, the best tool available in public health Contribute to building healthier, more protected communities”.

Source: EPICRISIS – Official Communications Agency of the Colombian Medical Association