The president of the Latin American Society of Vaccinology, Jose Brea del Castillohighlighted the importance of maintaining the coverage of vaccination by 95% or more, as the most effective preventive way to avoid the spread of infectious diseases.
“The importance of vaccinology In today’s world it is indisputable. We are at a crucial moment in which we must pay special attention to the coverage vaccinations in Latin Americawhich must improve in every way,” he said in the opening remarks of the First Latin American Vaccinology Conference.
“It is our main objective to work, advocate and contribute so that the vaccines reach every corner of our societythus protecting everyone’s health,” he added.
The pediatrician and expert in vaccines requested that the Law of Vaccines in the Dominican Republic, but not before making some modifications.
“It is essential that this law ensure the sustainability of the program in terms of resources, to maintain the coverage of vaccination by 95% or more. Furthermore, that there are the necessary resources to optimize and modernize the vaccination schedule when necessary and, considering the more than 160,000 births that occur each year in our country, the budget allocation must also be increased annually,” he declared.
“Are recommendations They go to all the countries of Latin Americawhich, although they already have the lawthey should update it,” said the doctor.
Tools electronic
Brea del Castillo advocated for the use of tools electronic that allow reminder notifications to the population to vaccinate through their smartphones, thus facilitating access and monitoring of vaccinations, as well as registration cards. vaccination digital so that each patient’s record is not lost.
“It is vital to work on trust in the vaccines. To achieve this, we need interdisciplinary work that provides clear and safe information about immunizations, highlighting their incalculable value in public health,” he emphasized.
It’s not just for kids
Pediatrician Marcos Díaz Guillén highlighted that the vaccination are not exclusive to the population pediatric, but reinforcements must be maintained throughout life.
“It is important that people understand that vaccine It is not only exclusive to children. The vaccine It begins with the pregnant woman, with the newborn, infant, young person, adolescent, adult and elderly, it is for life,” he said.
He requested “that the vaccine be generalized, be universal, for the entire populationfrom the pregnant to the elderly”.
Díaz Guillén maintained that congresses like this are vital so that “all Latin American people become aware of the importance of vaccines in disease prevention because it is much less expensive than getting sick. “They avoid complications, disability and death.”
As for the coverage thinks that, “we have made a lot of progress, but we need much more, we need the vaccines reach all population and that some are not limited vaccines such as herpes zoster, respiratory syncytial virus and human papillomavirus that is not just for girls.
Coverage in the DR
According to data from the Ministry of Public Health, in 2019, the vaccination against polio reached 91.5%, dropping in 2020 to 79.9% due to the effects of the pandemic and rising to 89% in 2023.
In 2022, the Week of Vaccination of Las Américas (SVA) had the specific objective of closing gaps against measles, ending with coverage of 98.5%. By 2023, the number of doses will be exceeded by two million. vaccines placed in the previous year, thus reaching six million immunizations.
The coverage rate of the vaccine against human papillomavirus varies greatly depending on the country, but in general sense, America Latina doesn’t have the best coverage for so important vaccine that prevents cancer.
“It’s time that this vaccination reach the men (men) throughout the region. We must address the barriers preventing greater acceptance and work together to increase these numbers. This has to be a commitment with all vaccines and for all the countries in the region,” said Dr. Brea about this vaccine in particular.
