Flu, covid, pneumonia...Diseases that are not feared but that have serious consequences. Last year, about 42,000 people died from these respiratory diseases (more than 31,000 from covid alone, which it seems that citizens have forgotten), deaths that can be considerably reduced with vaccination, an instrument that not only saves lives. but rather it prevents the spread of infections and the collapse of the health system.
The Spanish Association of Vaccinology (AEV) has launched an awareness campaign, under the title "The best plan for this winter", with the aim of raising awareness among the population aged 60 or over and the vulnerable (with chronic pathologies). between 5 and 59 years old about the importance of getting vaccinated against flu, covid and pneumococcus.
The campaign is also aimed at parents of children between six months and four years old who, for the first time, are recommended for flu vaccination. Because children are the ones who are infected the most and those who have a higher hospitalization rate, such as those over 65.
This awareness campaign comes a few weeks after the start of the vaccination campaign to try to mobilize the most hesitant, those who still have doubts and have not taken the step of getting vaccinated.
“Although it may not seem like it, people begin to have more risks as we age, even though we look young and healthy. Just as we exercise to stay in shape, we must get vaccinated to keep our immune system strong. We have, in vaccines, the best opportunity to protect ourselves. Getting vaccinated is a healthy lifestyle habit,” explains Jaime Pérez, president of the Spanish Association of Vaccinology.
Pérez recalled that the flu, no matter how common it may seem to us, has serious consequences for health. On average, in Spain the flu causes 28,000 hospitalizations each year, and in the 2017-2018 season there were up to 15,000 deaths attributable to this disease.
In the case of childhood flu, in our country two out of every three hospitalizations occur among healthy children. In children under 5 years of age, the flu causes 58,640 Primary Care consultations and 4,239 hospital admissions each year in Spain. 56.1% of children under 5 years old who are admitted to the ICU due to the flu do not have any risk factors, says Fernando Moraga-Llop, pediatrician.
Covid was the most frequent cause of death in 2022, with 31,559 people dying, 96% of them over 60 years of age, he noted.
And regarding pneumonia, 41% of those acquired in the adult community in Spain may require hospitalization. “Although it varies depending on the autonomous community, in general, all people over 60-65 years of age must have this vaccine. And even if they are vaccinated, they may need to update their vaccination based on the current recommendations in their community, which is why we encourage them to consult with their health center,” explains the president of the scientific society.
Vaccines not only have direct positive effects on those who decide to administer them, they also benefit those around them and the health system itself. “Hospitalizations have an impact on the medium and long-term quality of life of older patients: they may lose autonomy and the ability to look after themselves, in many cases,” says Pérez, who also appeals to family responsibility. “It is advisable to ensure that our elders are vaccinated for their own good, and also for ours. Their health is also the health of those who care for them,” he adds.
Furthermore, vaccines are great allies of the health system, and have a direct impact in terms of resources and derived costs. In fact, increasing vaccination rates in adults can potentially reduce the economic burden derived from diseases such as influenza or those caused by pneumococcus.
“Diseases such as flu, covid or pneumonia occur in an epidemic manner, during a specific period of the year, which causes the overload of health systems. An overloaded health system serves its patients worse, reduces the time it dedicates to each person, which can be transferred to the quality of care,” explains Pérez.
To get vaccinated this season against flu, covid and pneumococcus, the AEV indicates that citizens should consult with their health center or vaccination office what the procedure is, since it varies depending on each autonomous community. In some cases an appointment can be requested via the web, but in others it has been possible to enable vaccination points and even campaigns in schools. For this reason, the scientific society encourages the target population to make an appointment with their usual health center or vaccination point and obtain information.
Generally, vaccination against covid and flu extends from the month of October until the end of the quarter, although the ideal is to get vaccinated between October and November. In the case of the pneumococcus vaccine, it can be administered throughout the year, although diseases caused by this bacteria are more common during the winter.
Furthermore, the AEV assures that the usual thing is that people with the indication for double vaccination (flu and covid) are recommended to co-administer both vaccines. “An injection is given in each arm, with different needles and syringes. And those who also have to be vaccinated against pneumococcus can receive two punctures in one arm and one in the other, if necessary,” they explain.
This does not decrease the protection or increase the side effects that these three vaccines share, which can be pain at the injection site, swelling in the arm and low-grade fever, in some cases.
