- The influenza vaccine has proven to be a cost-effective tool in the prevention of the disease.
- This viral infection is characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
- In Mexico, achieving universal vaccination against this disease could result in annual savings of between 3.9 and 111.9 million dollars.1
Looking ahead to the autumn/winter 2022-2023 season, it is necessary to reinforce the influenza vaccination. So far this year alone, more than 400,000 suspected cases have been detected, according to data from the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Health.
What is your definition?
It is a viral infection that mainly affects the nose, throat, ears and occasionally the bronchi and lungs. It is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, muscle aches, dry cough, sore throat, and runny nose.
“In this season, the behavior of the disease may be different due to having been at home for so long, however, the cases are increasing4, so vaccination continues to be an effective solution to protect us against the disease,” commented Dr. Yolanda Cervantes, Medical Director of Vaccine Research, Clinical Development and Medical Affairs at GSK Mexico.
There are currently different vaccination points available in our country, such as vaccination centers, hospitals, clinics and private clinics, as well as clinics adjacent to pharmacies, in addition to free vaccinations in hospitals and clinics in the health sector, which allows the increase in vaccination rates in Mexico.
People who have priority to receive the vaccine
The presence of SARS-CoV-2, as well as the high prevalence of obesity, diabetes and other comorbidities, make it necessary to take advantage of this tool to prevent disease and its complications in the general population, especially in the following cases:
- Girls and boys from 5 to 12 years old: As the infection in schoolchildren is reduced, it is also reduced among the relatives with whom they live.
- Pregnant women: The inactivated influenza vaccine is safe for the mother and the fetus and its application is recommended at least four weeks before birth.
- Health personnel: All health workers should receive the influenza vaccine, taking into account that outbreaks in hospitals are frequent and reach rates between 12 and 60%.
- People with comorbidities: Patients with diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, overweight, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and immunocompromised should receive the influenza vaccine every year, because being an inflammatory disease, the infection increases the risk of hospitalization and death.
- Cancer patients: Regardless of the type of cancer and treatment, the benefit of vaccination has been shown in these patients, especially in cases of colon and rectal cancer, lung cancer and solid tumors receiving chemotherapy.
Globally, influenza affects between 5 and 30% of the population, which It accounts for 3 to 5 million cases of serious illness and between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent its consequences, by reducing moderate to severe disease, hospitalizations and transmission, with an effectiveness between 40 and 60%.
In addition, the influenza vaccine has proven to be a cost-effective tool in the management of the disease. In Mexico, achieving universal vaccination coverage could prevent more than 154,000 emergency admissions and more than 97,000 hospitalizations, with annual savings of between 3.9 and 111.9 million dollars.
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