Starting next week, a new vaccination program for children in Catalonia will begin. Includes three key new features. On the one hand, the flu vaccine will be offered to all boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months (five years old).All babies under six months will also be vaccinated Fight against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)which can lead to bronchiolitis.
It was the disease that caused problems last autumn and winter, putting a strain on the health system. Third, Salut replaces the current vaccine against meningococcal type C with a new vaccine that expands coverage against different meningitis variants.
Health Minister Manel Balcells stressed that “expanding vaccination coverage is a measure that will greatly benefit both children and the elderly, as it significantly reduces risks and is well worth it.”
«A complete calendar»
The ministry stressed that “Catalonia has One of the most complete vaccination programswhich includes recommendations for all stages of life and the inclusion of RSV immunization, would be among the most advanced recommendations globally.
The goal is Antidote coverage Help ensure health systems are not affected.So, for example, prevention of influenza, as Salut points out: “Every year produces a large number of cases, especially among children. Although the mortality rate in minors is usually low, this disease produces lots of visits In health centres, hospitalizations and admissions are due to complications, especially in young children.
The same thing happens with bronchiolitis. Camp and Ebre have seen a spike in the disease in recent years, concentrate, even when the coronavirus pandemic is under control.Public Health Minister Carmen Cabezas explained: “We all remember last year when there was a very high bronchiolitis wave that resulted in a large number of hospital admissions. Usually this happens a few weeks before the peak of the flu, and produce Place a huge burden on the health system, which is why it’s important to get vaccinated against RSV in the fall and reduce this serious effect. “
Pediatrician Pepe Serrano expressed satisfaction at the fact that “all the recommendations made by the professionals at the time were taken into account”. As members of the Catalan Pediatric Association, one of our goals is to ensure the health of our children and, obviously, Inclusion of new vaccines could improve health Child population.
Fewer visits and sick days
The doctor believes the spread of the antigen will lead to fewer emergency room visits, Fewer hospitalizations, less intensive care unit spending Parents who have to care for their children due to illnesses such as bronchiolitis also experience fewer absences from work or sick days.
In addition to sports for minors, Salut also made the following recommendations: Prevent shinglesSo far, the solution has been used for people ages 65 to 80, but is now also recommended for people over 90, those who already have herpes or those who are receiving immunosuppressive treatment.