Coverage of vaccines recommended by the National Vaccination Program (PNV) remained very high in 2023, with “important improvements” in HPV vaccination in boys and tetanus and diphtheria in adults.
The data comes from the Directorate General of Health’s (DGS) annual vaccination summary report for 2024, published on Tuesday, which showed vaccination coverage of all vaccines recommended in the PNV under 7 years of age: in 2023 at around 99% in end of the first year of life and will reach or exceed the 95% target in subsequent years, as in previous years.
According to a document released at the event “Vaccines: protecting generations”, which took place in Arronches, Portalegre, promoted by the DGS and included in the program of activities of the European Vaccination Week 2024, measles vaccination has reached and exceeded the national and international target of 95%, “increasing protection to prevent or limit outbreaks.”
For the meningococcal group B vaccine introduced in the PNV in October 2020, the target of 95% was met or exceeded in all cohorts covered, as is the case with other vaccines recommended at the same age,” the statement highlights. DGS message.
“Recommended vaccination at two months of age is met, but 17% to 19% of children remain susceptible to measles and meningococcal C disease at 13 months of age,” the report said.
For the GHD, “the 95% target is critical for measles because it is highly contagious and because these children attend preschools that facilitate its transmission,” thus arguing that this is “a rate that needs to be improved, for example by increasing awareness of parents or legal guardians of a minor about the need to comply with recommended vaccinations at the age of 12 months.”
According to the health authority, “HPV vaccination rates among women remain high at 90% across the schedule once they reach age 12.”
Additionally, HPV vaccination coverage among men, introduced in the PNV in October 2020, demonstrates “significant uptake of vaccination.”
In the “cohorts” of 2009, 2010 and 2011 (14, 13 and 12 years old, respectively), vaccination coverage according to the full vaccination schedule was about 90%.
Regarding the estimated vaccination coverage among pregnant women to protect newborns against whooping cough, the report shows that it remains high (84% in 2023).
Lifetime adherence to tetanus and diphtheria booster vaccinations ranged from 98% in the two-year-old cohort to 87% in the 65-year-old cohort, according to the document.
The report also includes preliminary data on the autumn-winter seasonal vaccination campaign 2023-2024, which will last until April 30.
“In 2023, there will be an increase in the number of people aged 60 to 64 years covered by free influenza vaccination, as well as the inclusion of pharmacies in the vaccination strategy,” reminds the DGS.
He adds that providing services free of charge to this 60-64 age group increased coverage to 45%, representing an increase of 18 percentage points over the previous year.
“The maintenance of excellent vaccination results within the PNV is the result of the daily efforts and dedication of health workers, as well as the trust that the population places in vaccination,” the DGS statement emphasized.
The report adds that to maintain these results, “ongoing investment in compliance by health care providers and their professionals, as well as public trust, must be maintained.”
“However, past and present successes do not determine future successes; the ability to identify susceptible and hesitant populations needs to be improved, emphasizing the importance of vaccination,” the DGS states in the document.
KhN // KMP
Lusa/end
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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