Catalonia has taken an important step in protecting children’s health by including three new vaccines in its vaccination program, which will benefit children aged six months to five years.
One of the key vaccines in this expansion is the flu shot, which will now be part of the annual immunization schedule against the disease.
Historically, the flu vaccine has only been given to people over the age of 60, and rarely to children with chronic illnesses.
However, with this new measure, the systematic introduction of the influenza vaccine in the age group from 6 months to 5 years represents a novelty and a protocol that the interregional committee plans to implement throughout Spain and proposes to apply until 2024 Year.
The decision to include young children in influenza vaccination was based on the fact that although the disease generally has a low mortality rate among children, it generates a large number of cases, which means a large number of trips to health centers and flu vaccinations. Hospitalization.
Especially in young children, the flu can cause complications and put a strain on the healthcare system.
Flu Vaccination Schedule: Protecting Young Children
Carmen Cabezas, Catalonia’s Minister of Public Health, noted that childhood vaccinations start after six months because the vaccine cannot be given to children under that age.
It is important to protect young children because while influenza is often associated with older adults, a significant number of children also contract the virus.
In addition to the influenza vaccine, the Catalan vaccination program will include ACWY meningococcal meningitis in children over 12 months of age.
The vaccine protects against multiple variants of the meningitis virus, which provides better protection against the disease.
Another important advance is the vaccination of infants against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to prevent bronchiolitis and its complications.
RSV can cause symptoms of catarrh, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath, which is especially worrisome for infants because it can affect their eating and energy. RSV vaccination will begin in October at Primary Care Centers (CAP).
preventive vaccine
The inclusion of these new vaccines in Catalonia’s vaccination program aims to protect the most vulnerable and prevent diseases that can have serious consequences for children’s health.
The decision to vaccinate children against influenza, meningitis and respiratory syncytial virus demonstrates the health authorities’ commitment to protecting children’s health.
