Modern Health Observation

More and more pediatricians consider it appropriate to apply it over 5 years . Since last winter the American Pediatric Society broadened its criteria regarding the use of influenza in children, the recommendation of this vaccine has become more encompassing than ever. As previously indicated it almost exclusively to those who had six months to five years or some underlying disease, today more and more pediatricians in our country should consider its application also in healthy children up to 18 years of age.

La Sociedad Argentina de Pediatrics and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of La Plata, among other references that support this trend, argue that the new recommendations are fully justified in demonstrating vaccine effectiveness, new modes of life and current epidemiological situation.

The truth is that at the height of influenza vaccination, the new implementation approach taken by surprise many parents. The same pediatricians who last winter had been told that there was no need to vaccinate their healthy children if they had more than five years, today I recommend it. But it happens that this trend does not yet have an official counterpart in the vaccination program, focusing on high risk populations.

“The flu campaign is aimed especially at children aged between 6 and 23 months of age living in households with unmet basic needs or were born prematurely with low birth weight; pregnant also are studying the second and third trimester of pregnancy, and older adults 65 years “, explains the ministry of Health of Buenos Aires.

In other words, outside those specific situations, or without a medical order to justify its implementation, hospitals and health centers do not apply the anti-flu free. So those who decide to follow the medical recommendations must face new purchase of a vaccine which costs around 50 pesos.

NEW EVIDENCE

“There is that before the vaccine is not recommended for lower risk groups, what happens is that now his recommendation also extends to lower risk,” explains Dr. Maria Eugenia Cobas, president of the local branch of the Society Argentina of Pediatrics.

“This does not mean, however, that what we were doing until now has lost its validity, the doctor explains,” children between 6 and 59 months of age with certain chronic illnesses or base should be vaccinated against the flu. Only Today it is considered appropriate to apply the vaccine also healthy children and adolescents up to 18 years. ”

This expanded approach has Cobas-surge “of” the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States for the period 2008-2009 and is based on new evidence that influenza vaccine is safe, effective and reduces the use of antibiotics .

Dr. Marita also Marini, head of the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of La Plata, explains the trend in which “there is a greater knowledge of the influenza vaccine as a prevention element with very few adverse reactions and no drug interactions” .

“Do not be afraid to vaccinate children: is a vaccine for the general population has no severe side effects, just a line of foot, like any vaccine. But it is very useful, more epidemiological situation like that there now. ” says the doctor.

“It also changed the environment of the virus and ways of life of people” highlights “If the kids to stay at home until age three, as in the past, the vaccine may not be so necessary. But today social contact starts at increasingly early ages and therefore, the chances of infection are greatest. ”

SIDE

Because influenza vaccine contains infectious virus particles can not cause flu. More frequent adverse reaction is local discomfort, which occurs in up to one third of vaccinees