“The best plan for this winter”, the battle against respiratory disease vaccines

Madrid, November 3 (EFE) – The Spanish Vaccine Association (AEV) has launched the “Best Plans for This Winter” campaign to encourage older people to get vaccinated against influenza, covid-19 and pneumococcal vaccines. 60-year-olds, vulnerable people and parents of children between six months and four years old.

In Spain, respiratory diseases were the third leading cause of death in 2022, with 42,979 deaths. Influenza causes 28,000 hospitalizations each year, and in the case of children, two-thirds occur in otherwise healthy minors. In the 2019-2020 season, 3,900 people died from the disease.

“As we age and people start to face more risks, we must get vaccinated to keep our immune systems strong,” said AEV President Jaime Pérez, who also stressed that it was “the best way to protect yourself.” Good opportunity.”

Perez made these statements at a presentation of the event this Friday to “raise awareness among those who still have doubts,” stressing that vaccination is “a healthy lifestyle habit.”

AEV spokesman and pediatrician Fernando Moraga-Llop warned that “the burden of influenza illness is very high,” explaining that in 2019 there were more hospitalizations of children under five ( 52.4 children) per 100,000 inhabitants).

Regarding covid-19, the scientific association recalls that it was the most common cause of death in 2022, with 31,559 deaths; 96% of them were over 60 years old.

They also recommend that people over 60 check their pneumococcal vaccination status, as 40% of pneumonia cases in adults require hospitalization.

The association stressed the “need” for vaccination to prevent severe cases and deaths, as the serum halved the risk of hospitalization from influenza in adults and prevented around 39% of deaths.

“Hospitalization will have an impact on the quality of life of elderly patients in the medium and long term,” Pérez said, stressing that vaccination would eliminate the “overload” of the health system and thus improve the quality of assistance to people.

Vaccinologists recall that vaccination campaigns against covid-19 and influenza are carried out between October and December, while vaccination campaigns against pneumococcal bacteria are carried out throughout the year.

They recommend that those with dual vaccine indications receive both vaccines: “Injections in each arm with a different needle and syringe. People who have received the pneumococcal vaccine can have a puncture in one arm as well as the other.” ” Effie

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