Uruguay’s Public Health Ministry has initiated the 2025 vaccination campaign focusing on influenza, measles, and RSV. The flu campaign aims to protect vulnerable populations before winter, while measles vaccinations are emphasized for young children and travelers. The RSV initiative for pregnant women aims to safeguard newborns. The Ministry highlights the historical importance of vaccines and addresses health equity and misinformation.
The Ministry of Public Health in Uruguay has launched its 2025 vaccination campaign, primarily targeting influenza, measles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to confront seasonal health issues. This initiative, announced in Montevideo, emphasizes the importance of vaccinations for vulnerable groups, aiming to mitigate hospitalizations and complications before the anticipated winter season begins.
The influenza vaccination campaign is set to commence this month, focusing on protecting high-risk populations such as the elderly, young children, individuals with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers. The flu vaccine is updated yearly to align with current virus strains, bolstering communal immunity and preventing severe health outcomes.
Furthermore, the Ministry has urged citizens to complete the two-dose measles vaccination series, especially for children aged over 15 months, healthcare workers, and travelers heading to countries experiencing active outbreaks. High vaccination rates, ideally 95% or more, are crucial to preventing the reintroduction of measles, which has been eliminated in the region since 2016.
The vaccination campaign also encompasses RSV vaccinations for pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, aiming to safeguard newborns from serious respiratory infections. This initiative, initiated in 2023, reflects the Ministry’s commitment to maternal and child health, informed by recent scientific findings.
In addition to vaccine distribution, the Ministry is conducting visits to Departmental Health Directorates, commencing in Canelones, to enhance accessibility, monitor health services, and improve logistical coordination. This campaign highlights the essential role of vaccines in disease prevention, health equity, and addressing misinformation, reinforcing the Ministry’s dedication to public health through education and scientific management.
The flu vaccine significantly decreases the risk of infection, hospitalization, and mortality among vulnerable individuals, the Ministry reported. By curtailing virus transmission, it enhances overall immunity, offering indirect protection to those unable to be vaccinated, with outputs planned for March-April to preempt the winter peak season in the southern hemisphere.
The Ministry emphasized the gravity of measles due to its highly contagious nature and severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. They strongly recommend the administration of the second measles vaccine dose, as maintaining a vaccination coverage rate of at least 95% is necessary to uphold the Americas’ measles-free status established in 2016.
Administering the RSV vaccine to expectant mothers can significantly lower hospitalization risks for newborns due to RSV, which is a leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, reducing risks by up to 70% during the first six months. This initiative is complemented by additional measures, including a monoclonal antibody specifically for premature infants.
Uruguayan health authorities further underscored the historical significance of vaccines, citing successful eradication of smallpox and the dramatic decline of polio. They stressed the economic advantages of vaccinations, such as the reduction of healthcare costs related to treatment and hospitalization, reinforcing the efficacy of vaccines backed by extensive scientific research while combating prevalent misinformation and myths about their safety.
The vaccination campaign launched by Uruguay’s Ministry of Public Health is pivotal in addressing seasonal health threats through influenza, measles, and RSV vaccinations. The focus on vulnerable populations and the commitment to high vaccination coverage are essential for sustained public health success. The initiative emphasizes the role of vaccines in reducing hospitalization rates and preventing severe health outcomes, ultimately safeguarding the community. This campaign reflects Uruguay’s robust approach to public health through education, scientific evidence, and strategic healthcare management.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
