The Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain witnessed special scientific meeting in “New Strategies for Preventing Viral Respiratory Infections.”
As every October, the Madrid community, like the rest of Spain, faces the problem of educating residents about the importance of flu vaccination. New prevention strategies for three highly related viruses were discussed during the meeting, COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“In some weeks we can see a huge impact on primary care emergencies and hospital emergencies. VRS provides pediatric services and Pediatric ICU is saturatedElena Andradas, director of the Public Health Service of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, commented while showing the chart.
One of the most striking novelties Preventing RSVAndradas mentioned immunization Monoclonal antibodies For between Zero years and six months old. This protection will be provided to babies born in maternity hospitals and to children born after October 1st and reaching the legal age of majority, by appointment in the Autonomous Community of Madrid.It will also be placed between children 7 months and 24 months prematurethey are born with a certain type of de pathology or Down syndrome, For example.this Ministry of Health’s introduction on vaccines There has been no ruling yet on vaccination of pregnant women, which is intended to protect the fetus. So the latter will not be available this season.
“Curiously, workers in the poultry and pork food industry will also be vaccinated.“
Angel Gillprofessor of preventive medicine and public health at King Juan Carlos University and conference presenter
“At the peak of the disease, incomes reached 700 per 100,000 inhabitants. The incidence of infection affects all levels, but the biggest impact on health is in the first year of life, which is why we are focusing on this period,” said the Director of Public Health.
Additionally, Andradas explained that he would inject himselfmonthly dose Use this antibody during RSV’s most active season.
“We will actively recruit those groups who could benefit from vaccination but are not doing so. Our goal is to achieve a vaccination rate of 75% for the over-65s.”
Elena Andradas, Director of the Public Health Service of the Autonomous Community of Madrid
The disease is dangerous when it attacks the body lower respiratory tractwest production Recurrent wheezing, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia. In the short term, it may lead to complications such as apnea or respiratory failure. “More than 100,000 children around the world die from RSV every year,” he commented. Rosa Rodríguez Fernández, Chief of Pediatric Services HU Gregorio Marañón noted that most deaths occur in less developed countries, where vaccination is more complex.
influenza
As flu news, the Department of Health has Lowered recommendation from 65 years to 60 years. Ángel Gil, professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Rey, explained to GM: “We have to provide insurance to target risk groups and where there are comorbidities, and from the age of 60, such issues start to become Universal.” Juan Carlos and presenter.
“andThese vaccines will be adjuvanted. But for people over 80 years old, a group we want to strengthen, we will use vaccineshigh antigen load”, experts pointed out.
Likewise, Andradas mentioned the need to reach all groups with this new vaccination drive. “We’re going to make a Active capture Groups that could benefit from vaccination but do not.Our goal is to achieve The vaccination rate for people over 65 years old is 75%. one of 60% lower compared to pregnant women and high-risk groups and a 65% were health professionals. For the last group, we had to make a huge effort if we wanted to get closer to the international recommendations,” Andradas recalled.
also out of curiosity Poultry and pork food industry workers will be vaccinated. “Vaccinating these groups against human influenza may also prevent severe typical influenza in animals with which these workers come into contact,” commented Gill. This year, smoker.
Likewise, childhood flu vaccinations are passed Intranasal quadrivalent live attenuated vaccine, Recommended for use among children 48 and 59 months.
Coronavirus
In the case of COVID-19, as a novelty, These vaccines will target new XBB variantsUnlike last year, the focus was on the BA 4 and BA 5 variants.
“This is a decision made by the World Health Organization because this is the most changing virus at the moment,” Gill explained. “It will continue to be recommended for people over 60, people with risk factors and professionals,” he added.
Also attending the meeting were Esther Redondo (FyC Medical Specialist, Head of International Health and Vaccine Technology Unit, Madrid City Council) and Agustín Portela Moreira (Head of Biotechnology and Biologics Services, AEMPS).