Three in 10 children immunized against bronchiolitis virus have been vaccinated

Catalina García, Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Government of Andalusia, has emphasized the commitment and responsibility for health of parents and guardians who have accepted the invitation to vaccinate their children against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is the leading cause of respiratory infections such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In just over a week, 28.5% of children who were asked to receive these vaccines have been vaccinated against the virus, which means that in the province of Almeria, some 2,500 children have been vaccinated.

Including those born since April 1, the entire Andalusian community has a total of 18,151 minors, 58.8% of whom have received the vaccine.

“These figures represent a milestone in prevention in Andalusia,” he stressed. In this sense, he recalled that RSV vaccination in Andalusia began on September 25.

Approximately 63,600 doses of vaccines have been procured for the 2023-2024 campaign, with a budget of €13.8 million, for all children born between October 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024 and for all infants born between April 1 and 2023 September 30, 2019.

Children under 1 year old with a history of prematurity of less than 35 weeks can also receive the treatment, in addition to other infants under 24 months of age who have very high-risk chronic conditions.

He pointed out that through this kind of immunization, infection by this virus can be effectively and safely prevented, and this respiratory disease occurs especially in autumn and winter. It therefore recommends that all parents of children under six months of age accept an invitation for RSV immunization.

Last year, the virus resulted in 301 minors being hospitalized at one time in Andalusia (during the peak period in November). A total of 2,581 children under one year old required hospitalization due to RSV in 2022, according to records from the Andalusian Health Service.

By province, the estimated doses in each province are: Almeria, 7,435; Cádiz, 8,691; Córdoba, 5,417; Granada, 7,943; Huelva, 4,141; Jaén, 4,814; Málaga , 11,819, Seville, 13,341.

A monoclonal antibody against RSV called Nirsevimab, commercially known as Beyfortus, was used for the first time in Andalusia. In this way, the autonomous region continues to focus on health prevention, with one of the most advanced vaccination programs in the country.

“This commitment from the Andalusian government is reflected in the investments. This year we have allocated €117.5 million, an increase of 178.4% compared to the 2018 budget, which was €42.2 million.”

On the other hand, the General Directorate of Public Health and Drug Regulation has included RSV in the sentinel surveillance program for acute respiratory infections in primary and hospital care, thus joining the joint Covid19/influenza surveillance strategy developed for the 2020-2021 season.

Flu and covid-19 vaccinations

In line with the latter, health and consumer affairs chiefs stressed that RSV immunization has been added to the annual flu vaccination for children aged 6 months to 5 years (59 months) during the 2022-2023 campaign In the first year of vaccination, which started in Andalusia, 46% of the target population was reached. “Our aim is to protect children as much as possible from the most common respiratory illnesses, which are more likely to result in hospital admission.”

According to reports, in the autumn and winter of 2022-2023, more than 900 children under 4 years old will be infected with influenza per 100,000 residents. The number of cases among those over 64 years old has not reached 150. As a result, he added, vaccinated children aged 6 to 59 months had fewer hospitalizations last year than unvaccinated children. “This high level of effectiveness helps our government in Andalusia work even harder to engage parents and guardians so they receive vaccinations for their children. “It is vital that children aged 6 to 59 months continue to receive influenza vaccinations. “

He emphasized that the first phase of the 2023-2024 influenza and covid-19 vaccination campaign will begin on October 9. To this end, the Andalusian government has once again increased the number of vaccinations, with a total of 2.2 million doses administered compared to the previous campaign, which represents an increase of 7.5%. The increase is largely due to this season’s most significant novelty, which is the lowering of the starting age for adult influenza vaccination from 65 to 60 years. At this point, he pointed out that in the previous campaign, another major effort had been made with the childhood vaccination of children under 5 years old, with a 21% increase in influenza doses.

Four vaccination stages

In his speech, he detailed that on October 9, people living in centers for the elderly and persons with disabilities, the general population aged 85 or above, and health center staff will receive dual influenza and Covid-19 vaccines. Care, Accommodation and Disability Centres. Likewise, students on placements in health and social care centres, residential and disability centres, and children aged 6 to 59 months (inclusive) attending calendar vaccine appointments will also receive the flu vaccine.

From October 16, people over 70, children six months or older, adults with risk conditions, highly dependent people and their professional carers, and pregnant women will be offered flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. From the same date, children aged 6 to 59 months (inclusive) will also receive the flu vaccine.

The next phase will begin on October 30. From then on, those over the age of 60, other professional groups such as security forces, prison institutions, and other professional groups such as veterinarians, farm workers, will receive dual influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations. The final phase, which will begin in December, will see dual flu and Covid-19 vaccinations given to people aged 60 or over in the household or in high-risk groups.

Regarding the coverage of the anti-influenza campaign in 2022-2023, he said that in Andalusia, more than 70% of people over 65 years old have been vaccinated, which is close to the World Health Organization’s optimal protection figure of 75%. 46% of children aged 6 to 59 months are included in the system’s vaccination coverage for the first time. “We consider this a success.” Among pregnant women, 81.3% also exceeded the target of 60%; among health and social care professionals, the figure was 50.6%.

Specifically, from October 3 to the end of April, a total of 1,953,383 doses of vaccine were administered, an increase of 206,662 doses compared to the 21-22 event. “Last year was a record for Andalusia and we aim to surpass these figures.” To sum up, the minimum vaccination coverage targets for the 2023-2024 campaign are the same as in the previous campaign: older people, 75%; Health and Society Health professionals accounted for 75%, and pregnant women accounted for 60%.

For these figures, he recognized and thanked all those who participated in the flu campaign last season for their sense of responsibility, maturity and commitment to health. Likewise, he thanked health professionals for their efforts during these months. “The most important thing is that our nurses deliver this event in a timely manner every year,” he said.

pneumococcus

In this case, Catalina García recommends taking advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated against pneumococcal disease (if needed), the same as against influenza and/or Covid-19, to increase protection against invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia. Therefore, he explained that so far in 2023, the pneumococcal coverage rate is 62%. “We also call on all Andalusians aged 60 to 72 to receive this vaccine (once only) to protect themselves against pneumonia,” he concluded.