‘We must raise awareness about pneumococcal vaccines’

2023 This is a special year intensity of news in the world Vaccination. Over the past few months, new products have been authorized for the prevention of diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus, dengue fever, Covid-19 or malaria, and vaccines against meningococcal type B, papillomavirus, etc. have also been included in the Spanish calendar. in children.

The Spanish Vaccinology Association (AEV) reminds us this year that “Best plan for this winter” Spending time with the people we love is one of the greatest gifts in life, thanks to Benefits of Vaccination.

“We must remember that ultimately People who get vaccinated are the ones who protect themselves“, he told ConSalud.es, Jaime Perez, Chairman of AEV. He added: “People who don’t get vaccinated are at risk of contracting the consequences of what’s going to happen to them.”

“We have to remember that ultimately, the people who get vaccinated are the ones who protect themselves”

“our health condition We have the ability to engage in activities, see loved ones and enjoy quality recreation,” Perez said. This year’s event aims to raise awareness about vaccinations

Get protected during the winter now and continue sharing special moments with your loved ones.

“When we talk about these diseases Often we only consider the worst consequences“, recalled Perez, who added, “We also had to consider that people admitted to the hospital might suffer from loss of independence, require family support, which may have an impact on their surroundings.Therefore, our campaign also calls for unitybecause if we get vaccinated we can avoid the risk and at the same time we protect our own, ensuring our independence. “

In this year’s campaign against influenza, Covid-19 and pneumonia, in addition to traditional groups, “we Includes children 6 years and 59 months old (until they are 5 years old) and Smoking population Because of the fact that there may be a risk of influenza consequences,” Perez said. Data showed that 56.1% of children under 5 years old admitted to the ICU with influenza did not have any risk factors.

Covid-19 is the most common cause of death in Spain in 2022

Vaccination is particularly important Over 60 years old. AEV recalls that Covid-19 was the most common cause of death in Spain in 2022, with 31,559 deaths, 96% of whom were over 60 years old. Although Perez explained that “Significant changes in profiles of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Because before it was a young image, not high risk, not risky pathology. Now, overall, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are around 65 years old, and there are some younger people, but they do have risk pathologies. “

AEV experts gave examples of the following data: U.K..This shows that the British think This year’s vaccination campaignif you have enough coverage you will achieve Saved more than 4,000 lives and will prevent approximately 15,000 hospitalizations.

Perez stressed: “We cannot forget that last year the new coronavirus remained the most important cause of death in Spain.” He pointed out, “Fortunately, this is not expected to happen this year.” Experts warn that there will be more cases in Spain in 2022 More than 30,000 people die from Covid-19, flu: “Flu can kill thousandsalthough it is something like this A lot depends on how the flu season goes.. Regardless, all we know is how to protect ourselves, and the best way to protect against the flu, COVID-19, and pneumococcus is to get vaccinated. “

“Vaccine is a right but also an obligation”

“10,000 people are hospitalized with pneumonia every year“The Chairman of EAV recalled. “When the thirteen-valent pneumococcal vaccine was launched, the vaccination coverage was very high, but now the new vaccine covers a wider range of serotypes, and it is currently impossible to cover a very large population.it is working and we must raise awareness About the pneumococcal vaccine,” Perez said.

In Spain, 41% of adults with pneumonia may require hospitalization. Experts pointed out that “Pneumococcal vaccines are improving all the timeWith the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines PCV13, PCV15 and PCV20, some autonomous regions have taken advantage of this, allowing those who would otherwise have been vaccinated or re-vaccinated to benefit from it greater protection

”. Regarding the groups required to receive the pneumococcal vaccine, he explained, “Depending on the community, vaccination starts at the age of sixty or sixty-five, and also applies to minors under that age with dangerous medical conditions, such as Heart disease, lung disease, etc.

Pérez remembers that after water purification, vaccines were the health measure that saved the most lives because, in addition to protecting themselves, they also protected others. “Vaccines are a right and an obligation.As an individual, you have the right to protect yourself, but you also have the obligation Get vaccinated to break possible chains of virus transmission and bacteria that help keep all those who cannot be vaccinated healthy,” he concluded.