PAMI Launches 2025 Antineumococcal Vaccination Campaign with VCN20
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Archynetys.com – In a significant move to bolster public health, PAMI (Programa de Asistencia Médica Integral) has initiated it’s 2025 campaign, focusing on the distribution adn administration of the antineumococcal vaccine.
Enhanced Protection: The Conjugated Antineumococcal Vaccine (VCN20)
This year’s campaign centers around the conjugated antineumococcal vaccine, boasting coverage against 20 serotypes of the pneumococcus bacteria. This vaccine, known as VCN20, represents a significant advancement in preventative care, offering broader protection against pneumococcal diseases compared to previous formulations. Pneumococcal diseases, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bacteremia, pose a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations.
Who Should Get Vaccinated? Target Populations and Vaccination schedules
The vaccination campaign prioritizes specific groups at higher risk of contracting pneumococcal infections. The guidelines are divided based on prior vaccination history.
A. Individuals Without Prior Sequential Vaccination
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Adults Aged 5-64 with High-Risk Chronic Conditions
This includes individuals with chronic diseases that elevate the risk of invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD), those who are immunocompromised, and those with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks or cochlear implants. For this group,the recommended schedule is a single dose of VCN20.
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Seniors Aged 65 and Older
Individuals in this age bracket are advised to receive one dose of VCN20 to enhance their immunity against pneumococcal infections, which can be particularly severe in older adults.
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Hematopoietic Stem Cell transplant (HSCT) Recipients
This vulnerable population requires a more intensive vaccination schedule to build sufficient immunity:
- Three doses of VCN20, administered at 4-week intervals, commencing 3-6 months post-transplant.
- A fourth (booster) dose of VCN20, given either 6 months after the third dose or 12 months after the transplant, whichever occurs later.
B. Individuals With Prior Pneumococcal Vaccination
For those who have previously received pneumococcal vaccines, the recommended course of action depends on the type of vaccine and the number of doses administered. The following table provides a detailed guide for continuing the vaccination schedule:
Individuals with chronic conditions at increased risk of ENI who previously received VCN13 can alternatively receive the VPN23 vaccine if available, as described in the table. However, continuing the scheme with VCN20 is ideally recommended for immunocompromised individuals and those over 65 years of age.
(**) For individuals aged 18 to 64 with increased risk of ENI who received the sequential VCN13 – VPN23 scheme, a single dose of VCN20 is recommended from age 65, with an interval of at least 5 years compared to the last dose of the anti-pneumococcal vaccine.
If any person indicating sequential scheme (presenting one or more of comorbidities above described) had previously received VPN23 the following minimum intervals must be respected according to age to receive VCN13:
- children under 18: 8 weeks
- Over 18 years: 12 months
Every child between 2 and 5 years must have a complete pneumococcal vaccine scheme with VCN13. Those who do not certify it must recover schemes. If they are understood in the groups of Risk, they must complete with VPN23 to meet the sequential scheme.
The importance of Pneumococcal Vaccination
Pneumococcal disease remains a significant public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), pneumonia accounts for 14% of all deaths of children under 5 years old, killing 740,180 children in 2019. Vaccination is a crucial tool in preventing these infections and reducing the burden of disease, especially among the most vulnerable populations. The introduction of VCN20 into the PAMI vaccination campaign represents a proactive step towards safeguarding public health and minimizing the impact of pneumococcal infections.
