In Argentina, vaccines included in the National Vaccination Calendar (CNV) and those recommended by the health authority for at-risk groups, as well as those indicated in epidemiological emergency situations, are mandatory and free.
The objective is to consolidate and reinforce the implementation of a strategic public policy aimed at controlling and preventing diseases preventable by vaccination at all stages of life. This policy establishes that vaccines are a social good, so they must be accessible to all inhabitants of the country free of charge and mandatory.
Vaccination policy
The National Ministry of Health is the application authority in charge of approving and publishing the CNV and its updates, both in the Official Gazette and on official websites. The schedule includes vaccines for all stages of life, ensuring that the target population has access to the corresponding vaccines at no cost.
The national digital registry of the vaccinated population is another important measure of this policy. This registry, managed by the Ministry of Health, will allow each citizen to have a digital record of the vaccines received, which can be presented in case of an international requirement.
Education and health personnel will play a crucial role in the implementation of this policy, as they are responsible for ensuring vaccination in their respective work areas. This includes promoting vaccination among students, faculty and patients, as well as maintaining accurate records of vaccines administered.
Responsibility of parents and guardians
Parents, guardians and legal representatives of children, adolescents or incapacitated people have the responsibility of guaranteeing their vaccination according to the schedule and recommendations of the Ministry of Health. Failure to comply with this obligation may result in actions by the health authority to make them vaccinated.
If a situation of non-compliance is identified, the local authority for the protection of the rights of children and adolescents must articulate a notification mechanism in conjunction with the corresponding health system. The provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires must also establish circuits to receive notifications of non-compliance and take the necessary measures.
If a person does not comply with the obligation to vaccinate themselves or the person they are responsible for, the health authority will take action to ensure that this obligation is met. These actions can range from notifying that the person must be vaccinated to forcing the person to receive the vaccine.
Vaccines are a social good, so they must be accessible to all inhabitants of the country free of charge and mandatory. Background
In the country there are several cases where justice forced the vaccination of minors.
One of the cases occurred in the city of Buenos Aires, where the court ordered the vaccinations to be administered under the warning of “compulsory vaccination of the baby.”
The parents opposed vaccines against Hepatitis B and tuberculosis (BCG), which are mandatory according to the National Vaccination Schedule and are the ones that every newborn must receive before being discharged home.
See alsoThey order to vaccinate a girl whose parents do not believe in vaccination The Ombudsman for Minors and Disabled Persons intervened and achieved the first instance ruling, which ordered parents to comply with the application of vaccines against hepatitis B and BCG within three days.
The judges understood that the decision not to apply the vaccines “clearly transcends the sphere of privacy” guaranteed by Article 19 of the National Constitution, since “it involves public health and its consequences are directly projected to third parties.”
Another fact was recently known in Chubut. Justice had to intervene to guarantee the vaccination of a minor, after which a hospital proceeded to complete the vaccination schedule, based on the principle of comprehensive protection of the rights of children and adolescents, despite the refusal. of parents to comply with the vaccination schedule.
See alsoFour years after the arrival of covid, what did we learn? Vaccine safety
Vaccines undergo rigorous laboratory tests before their use in the population. Clinical trials can take years to complete, ensuring that vaccines are safe and effective. Once approved, their use is monitored by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CDC, and the National Institutes of Health.
Vaccines can cause mild side effects, such as fever, tiredness, and body aches, which usually go away within a few days. Serious side effects are extremely rare and are monitored by health authorities to ensure the safety of the vaccines.
