Uruguay’s MSP launches a 2025 vaccination campaign targeting influenza, measles, and RSV, focusing on vulnerable groups and addressing seasonal health challenges. Key measures include flu vaccinations starting soon, a call for high measles coverage, and RSV vaccinations for pregnant women. The campaign promotes public health education and combats misinformation while ensuring accessibility and efficiency in health services.
Uruguay’s Public Health Ministry (MSP) has launched its 2025 vaccination campaign targeting influenza, measles, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in response to both seasonal and emerging health issues. The flu campaign aims to protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, young children, individuals with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers, ahead of the winter peak, mitigating hospitalizations and serious complications. Vaccines are updated each year to ensure community immunity against circulating strains.
The MSP emphasizes the completion of the measles vaccination schedule, particularly for children over 15 months, healthcare workers, and travelers to regions experiencing outbreaks, such as Argentina and Mexico. Maintaining vaccination coverage at or above 95% is vital to prevent the reintroduction of measles, which was eliminated in the region in 2016.
The campaign also incorporates RSV vaccinations for pregnant women in their 32nd to 36th weeks to shield newborns from severe respiratory infections. This initiative, established in 2023, is based on recent scientific findings prioritizing maternal and child health.
To enhance accessibility and health service monitoring, the MSP is touring Departmental Health Directorates, commencing in Canelones, to better coordinate logistics. The campaign highlights the broad significance of vaccines in preventing diseases, promoting health equity, and addressing misinformation while affirming the MSP’s public health role through education.
The flu vaccine is instrumental in reducing the risk of severe outcomes, particularly among at-risk groups. By anticipating the winter peak in March-April, the vaccination rollout aims to bolster collective immunity and protect those unable to get vaccinated. The Ministry noted the high contagiousness of measles and potential complications, reaffirming the necessity of completing the vaccination schedule.
RSV vaccination for pregnant women effectively transfers protective antibodies to the newborn, reducing hospitalization risk due to RSV by up to 70%. This vaccine is crucial, as RSV is the primary cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants. This initiative works alongside other preventive measures for vulnerable groups like premature infants.
Uruguayan authorities have highlighted the historical success of vaccines, like the eradication of smallpox and polio, and have reinforced their cost-effectiveness. By minimizing treatment and hospitalization costs, vaccines alleviate the strain on healthcare systems, while the MSP combats misinformation, emphasizing the proven safety and efficacy of vaccines backed by decades of research.
In summary, Uruguay’s 2025 vaccination campaign addresses influenza, measles, and RSV, aiming to protect vulnerable populations and uphold public health standards. The campaign illustrates the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, the positive impact of public health initiatives, and the continuous effort to combat misinformation. This multifaceted approach not only focuses on immediate vaccination efforts but also encapsulates broader health strategies to improve access and health service efficiency.
Original Source: en.mercopress.com
