All Aragonese children Between six months and five years They can get the flu shot starting in October, the date the vaccination campaign begins.What’s new this year is So far, only those with risk factors have been vaccinated, Such as chronic diseases.In this way, the 2023-2024 vaccination plan includes influenza as one of the vaccines to be considered, along with vaccines against influenza Meningococcal type B or rotavirus.
Flu treatment options include Single dose, taken after six months Aged no more than 59 months (five years). “The head of the vaccine working group has communicated to the Ministry of Health the importance of extending the influenza vaccine to the entire child population. The rest of the population over the age of five must also be vaccinated. Influenza Epidemics Erin, President of the Aragonese Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (ArAPAP) Elena Javierre explains: “The virus starts in children and then spreads to adults. This is one way to protect adults and seniors. ”
Vaccination schedule 2023/2024. / Spanish Pediatric Association
In addition, influenza testing is recommended for people between the ages of 5 and 59 who are at higher risk for complications.Cases worth highlighting include Smokers, students doing internships in health and social hygiene centers and people with direct occupational contact with animals or farm or farm secretions. “It turns out that vaccination against influenza is recommended to avoid complications of the disease in young children. Another novelty is that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination for smokers, who have worsened lung health and influenza It will make the situation more complicated,” said Nuria Gayán, the public health director of the Aragonese government.
While doctors still don’t know how much the virus will affect the campaign, they are confident things will normalize and Increasingly similar to pre-pandemic conditions. “Before the pandemic, the peak started in December and reached its maximum in January and February. And last year’s situation was very atypical, with a lot of viruses already appearing in September and October. It happened at the same time as other respiratory infections. 10 January and fall and winter are the peak months for respiratory viruses,” Javier explained.
syncytial virus immunity
In fact, another big innovation this year has to do with Immunization of infants younger than six months against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). “It affects the youngest babies (only a few months old) a lot,” the pediatrician said.Therefore, in this new campaign, new immunizations will be carried out by injection, targeting two groups in particular: all these groups Groups of children at high risk for severe disease – Prematurity, respiratory disease or congenital heart disease – and all infants six months or younger. Additionally, they may receive more than one dose of vaccine depending on the type of risk they suffer. “Syncytial virus has caused problems in previous winter sports as it can even lead to admission to intensive care. It can cause serious conditions,” the director of public health said.
Among the requirements put forward by ArAPAP to contain possible viral epidemics, the following points stand out: Expanding meningococcal coverage: “We want to include a dose of the ‘ACWY’ variant at 12 months. We are seeing an increase in the incidence of meningococcal ‘W’ and ‘Y’ and we want to get ahead of that.” They also asked for access to more opportunities Rapid self-diagnostic testing in primary care For certain respiratory viruses: “They are very useful tests to determine the right protocol and treatment for each specific case.”