THE vaccines are a right for everyone, regardless of age, origin, social and economic condition. “Long Life for All“Is the theme and the basic principle of World Immunization Week 2022promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is celebrated from 24 to 30 April to raise awareness of the importance of vaccines, fundamental tools of protection in all epochs of life.
Vaccines: not only against Covid
About 29% of all infant (under 5) deaths globally could be prevented with a vaccine. We are not just talking about Coronaviruswhich counts today over 500 million confirmed cases and over 6 million deaths – but also of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, poliomyelitis and many other diseases that can be fatal. Especially for the little ones and the most fragile. WHO, UNICEF And GAVI estimated that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were 60 lifesaving campaigns postponed in 50 countries and around 228 million people – mainly children – they are now at risk for diseases such as measles, yellow fever and polio. That is why these international organizations have launched theImmunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030)a new global strategy to save over 50 million lives through vaccinations, 75% of which in low- and low-middle-income countries.
Initiatives to inform parents about vaccines
Gynecologists, obstetricians, neonatologists and pediatricians participate in this week of information and education to promote the culture of vaccinations, against fake news and disinformation all over the world. From pregnant women, to infants, children and adolescents to adulthood, everyone has the right to benefit from the benefits of immunization. This year the Italian Society of Pediatrics (SIP)the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and the Italian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SIGO) have organized various initiatives to properly inform everyone about the efficacy and safety of vaccines.
Phone appointments with experts
On 26, 27, 28 and 29 April the experts SIGO, SIN and SIP they will answer questions from parents and interested parties on the phone for one hour a day. This year each day will be dedicated to a different theme, in particular:
Tuesday 26th April: “Vaccinations in pregnancy”, replies from 12 to 13 Irene Cetin, general secretary of SIGO, on 02 63635369.
Wednesday 27 April: “Vaccinations in newborns and premature babies”, Massimo Agosti, Vice President of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN), answers from 13.30 to 14.30 on 0332 299423.
Thursday 28 April: “Covid-19 vaccination”, replies from 13.30 to 14.30 Elena Bozzola, member of the SIP vaccination and infectious diseases technical table, on 06 49382508.
Friday 29th April: “Vaccinations in adolescence”, replies from 13.30 to 14.30 Giovanni Vitali Rosati, member of the Vaccination and Infectious Diseases Technical Table of the SIP, on 06 49382508.
The April 29th from 12 to 13 there will also be a live broadcast Facebook and Instagram on SIP channels with SIP, SIN and SIGO experts: Susanna Esposito (Technical table for infectious diseases and SIP vaccinations), Massimo Agosti (SIN Vice President) and Fabiana Savoia (SIGO, specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, AOU Luigi Vanvitelli of Naples).
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Vaccines also for Ukrainian children: the brochure for download
Children arriving from other warring countries also need to be protected from disease. To offer the best possible health care and to ensure routine vaccinations also for the many minors fleeing Ukraine who arrive in our countrySIP translated theleaflet on childhood vaccinationsby title “Your Child… protect him with vaccinations! It’s never too early “, created together with the SIN and aimed at all parents. Already available in Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, Russian, English and Spanish, sponsored by the Ministry of Health, the brochure is now also available in Ukrainian and can be downloaded free of charge at the link https://bit.ly/3DmyCol
The malaria vaccine has arrived
Good news: it is finally a sufficiently effective vaccine against malaria is available. Over time, hundreds of millions of people have died from malaria. More than half, children. Alone in 2020 the deaths were 400 thousand, of which 95% in Africawhere is it a child under 5 dies every two minutes from malaria.
In October 2021, the Organization world Health Authority (WHO) has recommended the large-scale use of a malaria vaccine. Today, hundreds of thousands of children in the heavily malaria-affected regions of Kenya, Malawi and Ghana are receiving the RTS vaccine, S which health experts celebrate as an extraordinary tool in the global fight against the disease. If implemented on a large scale, it could save tens of thousands of lives every year.
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