Vaccine and pediatric and adolescent medicine experts have issued a consensus on the most common vaccine-preventable diseases, some of which are also typical of early childhood but not typically attributed to later development.
A consensus work between the Spanish Association of Vaccinology, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics’ Vaccination Committee and the Spanish Association of Adolescent Medicine (AEV, CAV-AEP and SEMA) analyzed the calendar corresponding to a specific age group (adolescence), establishing the most common Vaccines prevent diseases.
According to the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the stage of life from childhood to adulthood (i.e., 10 to 19 years old). It is a stage characterized by major physical changes and psychosocial adaptation. It doesn’t end until the third decade of life.
During this stage, congenital or childhood-onset chronic diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, etc. will continue to exist, and adolescent-specific disorders will also appear (Acne, gynecological conditions, or scoliosis or disease Mental Healthetc.), other diseases may appear for the first time and persist throughout adult life (diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, etc.).
“In addition, infections also have their own peculiarities at this stage of life, such as being more susceptible to infection pertussisthe following disease complications are more likely to occur Chickenpox, mumps, or hepatitis A,Increase Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or meningococcal nasopharyngeal carriage rates and risks Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)“This document was published on Annals of Pediatrics.
Experts have agreed on a new vaccination plan for adolescence that takes into account meningococcal vaccinein front of Human papillomavirus (HPV)this pertussisIn addition to vaccination Flu and COVID-19 among teenagers risk Booster doses are needed when the fall and winter transmission phases begin.
“Adolescents with higher risk health conditions and those teen travel constitute a population that requires special attention to ensure optimal levels of protection against vaccine-preventable infections,” the work states.
meningococcal disease
Adolescents are the second age group at highest risk of meningococcal disease (MID) after those under five years of age. Serogroup B is the predominant serogroup in Europe and causes more cases (55%) in adolescents and young adults. “With the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the ensuing measures to contain respiratory transmission, the incidence of IMD has declined significantly. Following these declines in averages, we have seen an increase in cases since 2021 , particularly by serogroup B, such as the outbreaks among adolescents in the United Kingdom and France,” the study noted.
“In Spain, the number of IMD cases so far in the 2022-2023 season, with data up to week 25, is twice as high as the number of cases that occurred during the same period in the previous IMD season. Among adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, the incidence of IMD The rate even exceeds that of children aged 1 to 4 years old.
Single-component conjugate vaccines have been shown to eliminate nasopharyngeal colonization (…), although “there are currently no recommendations for a booster dose during adolescence in children who have been previously vaccinated against meningitis B vaccine. As a personal protection measure, adolescents should not A booster dose of the vaccine is recommended during adolescence.” People who have been previously vaccinated can receive treatment with either of the two available vaccines, 4CMenB (Bexsero) and Menb-fHbp (Trumenba).Some studies suggest 4CMenB may have protective effects gonorrhea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae).
human papilloma virus
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the world. The HPV vaccine has been proven safe and effective.They do not prevent infection and spread of the virus, but they can prevent its development Precancerous lesions Attributed to HPV and cervical cancer. In our country we have two vaccine preparations: a bivalent vaccine, targeting genotypes 16 and 18 (Cervarix), and a nine-valent vaccine (Gardasil-9), which contains 5 additional carcinogenic types and can Prevent genital warts.
“It is very important to vaccinate both sexes before initiating sexual relations. Currently, the vaccination schedule consists of two doses if started between 9 and 14 years of age, and three doses if 15 years or older. For those who are immunocompromised Patients, “Regardless of age, the regimen always consists of three doses. ”
pertussis
In Spain, 76% of cases between 2005 and 2020 pertussis Occurs in children under 14 years of age. In 2020, cases among those aged 15 to 49 increased 50-fold. “Pertussis vaccination programs for adolescents vary around the world.
In Spain, the Common Lifetime Calendar of the Interregional Committee of the National Health System recommends vaccination at age 14 years against diphtheria and tetanus (Td), while the Spanish Pediatric Society recommends Tdpa, which also protects against pertussis. Just an autonomous community, Asturiasconsider funding Tdpa vaccination for adolescents.”
influenza
Seasonal influenza is three times more common in children and adolescents than in adults and older adults.There is a need to change the perception that influenza is a mild illness in adolescence because, although it usually has a self-limiting clinical course, it can cause complications, e.g. Pneumonia, otitis media, myositis, encephalitis, or myocarditis. “Health professionals must be made aware of its importance and public health strategies should be encouraged to vaccinate this age group.”
Coronavirus
Data from the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network show that as of June 30, 2023, 92.6% of the 42.4 million people over the age of 12 have completed their health regimen, including 95.8% between the ages of 12 and 19. “Currently, variants Omicron It remains the dominant player in Spain. “Compared with previous variants, they are characterized by greater immune evasion, increased transmissibility due to vaccination, and reduced case severity.”
The European Medicines Agency has authorized three monovalent (original strain) vaccines (Comirnaty 30 g, Spikevax 100 g and Nuvaxovid), two bivalent mRNA vaccines (Comirnaty and Spikevax Original/Ómicron BA.1 and Original /Ómicron) BA.4-5) and bivalent recombinant (Bimervax) from 16 years old. Vaccination is recommended for previously unvaccinated adolescents and booster doses for adolescents belonging to high-risk groups, as recommended by the Ministry of Health.
“After widespread vaccination, myocarditis and pericarditis have been detected in association with the mRNA vaccine (although the risk is much higher after natural infection), and this is a very rare side effect that usually occurs within 14 days of vaccination (the second dose More so). Males aged 12 to 29 years, with Spikevax). In most cases, the evolution is benign and heals within 2-3 days. An additional injection is not recommended after a previous episode of myocarditis or pericarditis Dose of mRNA vaccine. Dose.
Teenagers at risk
Some characteristics of adolescents must be taken into account when informing them about preventive and vaccination measures: They begin travel alonethey start with sexual relationsDue to higher survival rates for congenital diseases, the number of adolescents with chronic diseases is increasing. “Risk groups include people who are immunosuppressed, chronically ill and engage in risky behaviors.”
traveling boy
Depending on the vaccines you received in childhood and adolescence, the area you are traveling to, the duration of your trip, the time of year and the types of activities you will be doing, you may need chemoprophylaxis, primary vaccinations or early vaccination doses, As well as avoiding risky situations of contracting diseases through drinking water or food, insect bites and risky behavior in some countries.
Vaccinations are required to enter certain countries, e.g. yellow fever (endemic to much of Africa and South America), meningococcal vaccine (African Band, Student, Macro Concert Attendance) and polio (travel to countries where wild or vaccine-derived viruses are circulating), and vaccines recommended based on the country of destination, e.g. Cholera, Central European encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, hepatitis A and rabies.
Annals of Pediatrics DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2023.05.009