Not only is progress in vaccination against COVID-19 of concern in the country, but also immunization against 27 other diseases. For this reason, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) relaunched this Thursday the campaign “I vaccinate Peru: I vaccinate it, I protect it”, in order to stop a drop in vaccination coverage of the regular scheme, especially of children under 5 years old. .
It should be remembered that the Regular Vaccination Scheme (ERV) in Peru contemplates 17 vaccines, of which 15 must be applied before 5 years of age to have girls and boys protected against various diseases.
In dialogue with this medium, the director of Immunizations of the Minsa, María Elena Martínez, pointed out that there is a great concern in the sector because Vaccination coverage has not only dropped this year, but the drop has occurred since 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have stopped vaccinating and there is a gapFor approximately this year we have 50,000 children and in previous years we have about 200,000 children, so there is a big concern there and we have to close those gaps.”, he indicated.
For this reason, the Director of Immunizations a call to parents to bring their minor children to health establishments, or to receive the brigades when vaccinating house by house. “That is the strategy that the Minsa is using to close the gap for children, which is approximately 11% this year.“, I note.
What vaccines should be applied before 5 years of age?
The Ministry of Health reports that they are the following:
Newly born:
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine: against severe forms of tuberculosis (TB).
HVB vaccine: against hepatitis B.
At 2 months:
- Pentavalent first dose: 5-component combination vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis (DPT), pneumonia, and meningitis due to Haemophilus type b.
- First Polio Dose (Syringe – IPV): Acute Flaccid Paralysis Vaccine.
- First dose against rotavirus: vaccine that prevents rotavirus diarrhea.
- First pneumococcal dose: vaccine that protects against pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media.
At 4 months:
- Second pentavalent dose: 5-component combination vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis (DPT), pneumonia, and meningitis due to Haemophilus type b.
- Second Polio Dose (Syringe – IPV): Acute Flaccid Paralysis Vaccine.
- Second dose against rotavirus: vaccine that prevents rotavirus diarrhea.
- Second pneumococcal dose: vaccine that protects against pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media.
At 6 months:
- Third pentavalent dose: 5-component combined vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis (DPT), pneumonia, and meningitis due to Haemophilus type b.
- Third dose against polio (oral – APO): against acute flaccid paralysis.
- First dose against influenza: vaccine against Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza virus type B.
At 7 months:
- Second dose against influenza: vaccine against Influenza A (H1N1), Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza virus type B.
At 12 months:
- Third pneumococcal dose: vaccine that protects against pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media.
- First dose MMR: vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella.
- First dose against chickenpox.
At 15 months:
- First dose of anti-yellow fever: against yellow fever.
At 18 months:
- Second MMR dose: against measles, mumps and rubella.
- First booster dose of DPT: vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
- First poliomyelitis booster dose (oral – APO): vaccine against acute flaccid paralysis.
At 4 years old:
- Second booster dose of DPT: vaccine that prevents diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
- Second poliomyelitis booster dose (oral – APO): vaccine against acute flaccid paralysis.
Can the outline be completed if I missed the date?
The answer is yes. As explained by the spokeswoman, if a child has already turned 4 years old and has not received a vaccine that corresponded to him at 2 years of age, for example, must be taken anyway to be vaccinated.
“We are not going to restart schemes, we are going to continue vaccinating. We want to motivate parents to check their children’s vaccination card and update them. Some have gone too far and believe that they no longer have the opportunity to get high”, he stressed.
Parents who want to know which vaccine is due for their child can also call the Line 113 option 1, he indicated. You can also enter HERE to review the information shared by the Minsa.
Where can I vaccinate my children?
Children can receive their vaccinations at the Minsa health facilities. Parents should approach and check if they are applying the 17 vaccines of the regular scheme by life stages and of COVID-19.
You must go with the minor’s DNI or birth certificate and their vaccination card.