Vaccines are the safest way to protect children from deadly diseases in the world; That’s according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These biologics help prevent serious disease, build community immunity, and ensure babies are protected as they grow and develop their own immune systems.
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Vaccination is especially important for premature babies because they have not yet completed their developmental processes and their prenatal immunology is not yet fully developed, so they are at greater risk of serious illness, complications, or hospitalization, Colombia New The Society of Neontology (ASCON) has warned that it will hold its eighth national congress on August 16-18.
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In Colombia, live births before 37 weeks accounted for 11.0% of all births reported in that year in 2022, according to the National Statistics Institute (DANE), An increase of 0.4 percentage points over 2021. For every 1,000 live births, there were 104.4 low birthweight babies, ie newborns weighing less than 2,500 grams.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, due to both conditions of underweight and premature birth, infants may suffer more frequent and severe infections preventable by vaccination, so it is important to promote timely vaccination of newborns in this group and it produces minimal side effects.
In this sense, it is noteworthy that combined acellular vaccines (such as hexavalent vaccines) are effective in attenuating the adverse effects of vaccination and preventing six diseases with single-biological vaccines such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and Haemophilus influenzae type B. related aspects of HIV, hepatitis B and polio; moreover, they may represent national economic savings.
The acellular vaccine contains the cellular parts of Bordetella pertussis, the pathogen that causes whooping cough.
The Colombian Red Cross explains, “By retaining only a vital part of said bacteria, side effects are reduced and this leads to activation of the immune system and increased defense numbers. Therefore, acellular vaccines are considered a less painful alternative, The benefits of traditional vaccines can be preserved by protecting the infant or child.
The truth is that by vaccinating a large portion of the population, there is indirect protection for those who cannot receive certain vaccines, such as very young infants or people with compromised immune systems. This can reduce the spread of disease and prevent catastrophic outbreaks, especially in vulnerable communities.
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Another important reason is that certain illnesses, such as measles or whooping cough, can be more serious in infants than in adults. Early vaccination helps prevent these serious complications and protects the newborn’s long-term health. Plus, by vaccinating babies from an early age, you can create a vaccination schedule that ensures they are protected as they grow older and face more risks.
Advantages of hexavalent acellular vaccines
Various professionals agree that the use of combined acellular vaccines has important advantages for both the health system and the vaccination experience of premature or newborn infants.
Martín Romero, a doctor and researcher at the Center for Economic Research, Management and Health Technologies of the Salutia Foundation in Bogota, said that in cost minimization studies and budget analysis, the introduction of Hexavalent Vaccines in National EPI Determined Use of Full Liquid Combination Hexavalent Vaccines Will Reduce All Associated Hidden Costs The vaccination process, which affects the efficiency of the programme.
He highlighted the annual savings of $1.7 million in immunization against preventable infectious diseases through the use of the hexavalent acellular vaccine in preterm infants.
Likewise, Dr. Ofelina Vergara highlights, “By vaccinating premature infants with this 6-in-1 biological vaccine, the costs associated with adverse, logistical and social event management can be significantly reduced, reducing the overall cost of vaccination by 19%. In fact, It states that vaccination with the hexavalent primary regimen (3+0) will save approximately 220,000 Colombian pesos (US$ 67) per premature infant.”
Regarding the vaccination process, the Colombian Neonatal Association (Ascon) emphasized that the hexavalent vaccine, which provides protection against six diseases, “is the best option to guarantee better compliance with the PAI program for infants with a history of preterm birth in our country.” This vaccine can reduce multiple-prick pain and the number of adverse events, such as crying, hypotonia, acute febrile symptoms, seizures or apnea.”
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