He Minister of Health, Victor Atallahannounced this Wednesday the incorporation of the vaccine Prevenar 20 to the national vaccination scheme, with the aim of strengthening the health protection of children and older adults, identified as the most vulnerable groups to the pneumococcal diseasesconsidered among those with the highest lethality in these population segments.
The vaccine prevents against 20 serotypes of the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniaeand is aimed in a first stage at older adults and chronic patients. In boys and girls the vaccine will be applied next year.
Pneumococcal diseases are infections caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) that can cause otitis media or ear infection and sinusitis or paranasal sinus infection, in addition to pneumonia or lung infection; meningitis or brain infection and bacteremia or blood infection or septicemia, in its most serious stage.
Prior to the inclusion of Prevenar 20, with which there are 18 vaccines included in the regular vaccination schedule, the Ministry of Health, through the Directorate of Immunopreventables by Vaccines (DIV), developed a training process aimed at the personnel of the Area and Provincial Health Directorates (DAS/DPS).
This training concluded this week in Health Region VI, which includes the provinces of Azua de Compostela, San Juan and Elías Piña.
Launch
During the launch of the vaccine, held this Wednesday, at the San Francisco de Asís home, Víctor Atallah, indicated that diseases caused by pneumococcus continue to be a silent threat to health around the world, although anyone can be affected, small children and older adults are those who face the most serious consequences.
During his speech, he highlighted the advances in the prevention of diseases, especially those preventable by vaccines, specifying that they will spare no effort so that the Dominican population has greater access to vaccination every day, considered the most cost-effective strategy to reduce morbidity and mortality.
“From the Ministry of Health, we reaffirm our commitment to the protection of life. We have incorporated the Prevenar 20 vaccine into the national vaccination scheme, which includes the serotypes circulating in the Dominican Republic and provides broader protection. This reflects the effort of the Dominican Government to guarantee the health of the population at all stages of life,” said the minister.
Atallah expressed that the vaccine is the most effective tool to prevent pneumococcal disease since it avoids hospitalizations, serious complications and, above all, saves lives.
“Vaccinating not only protects those who receive the dose, it also takes care of the entire family and the community. Therefore, vaccinating is an act of love and responsibility. Let’s vaccinate our children at the appropriate time, and also our fathers, mothers and grandparents over 65 years of age. With that simple gesture, we are giving them more health, more life and more time to share together,” said the Health Minister.
While the representative of the Pan American Health Organization PAHO/OMS In the Dominican Republic, Alba María Ropero Álvarez, expressed that the introduction of this vaccine reflects the country’s commitment to the health of the most vulnerable and highest-risk populations that need to be protected.
He noted that vaccines have proven to be highly effective in combating diseases. He urged citizens to get vaccinated, especially the most vulnerable population such as children and older adults.
Fixed positions
The vaccine is available at fixed vaccination posts and will also be applied in all nursing homes and so-called “Day Stays” throughout the country, to protect the health of older adults.
Present at the launch were Demetrio Vicente Ureña, executive director of the National Council of Aging Persons (CONAPE); Eladio Pérez, Vice Minister of Collective Health; Raysa Bello, Vice Minister of Social Assistance; Aida Lucia Vargas, director of Immunoprevenibles by Vaccines and Sister María Eugenia López, director of the San Francisco de Asís Nursing Home.
