Dr. Alexis Kalergis, director of the Millennium Institute in Immunology and Immunotherapy:
The month of May arrived and with it, temperatures dropped abruptly, as a consequence outbreaks of respiratory diseases increased, and health centers must prepare to avoid a collapse of the health system.
He Dr. Alexis Kalergis, director of the Millennium Institute for Immunology and Immunotherapy (IMII)warns that an important pillar of the winter campaign is immunization, mainly of the susceptible population and most exposed to respiratory viruses against which there are currently approved tools in our country.
“These are for Influenza, SarsCov2, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Therefore, it is essential that the population has the availability of these immunizers so that the campaigns are effective and can reach the target population. The population must be encouraged to access vaccination, but also strengthen the health system to guide its vaccination capabilities in the necessary times,” he added.
The vaccination campaign tries to meet the objective of reaching at least 85% of the risk groups, against diseases such as influenza, which is one of the first respiratory viruses that begin to be detected in this cold season, another vaccine for Covid-19 , which continues after the pandemic, and this year, immunization against the Syncytial virus (RSV) was added in newborns.
“Currently, a sustained increase in cases is being detected and it is key that the vaccination goals be achieved in the maximum number of the susceptible population, for this campaign to be effective, which is why vaccination against this virus and the rest of the virus is so important. the population that qualifies and can receive this vaccine,” added the academic.
Furthermore, the specialist recommends that, “considering that the temperature has gradually dropped, the voluntary use of a mask is an effective measure to prevent infections and the transmission of other respiratory viruses, in this way we must prepare for the gradual increase in these viruses. as we approach winter. Also ventilation of closed spaces and avoiding crowds of people are useful measures to avoid infections,” he recommended.
For respiratory viruses, preventive measures that help reduce contagion are vaccination, hand washing, use of a mask, ventilation of closed spaces and physical distancing, avoiding crowds. If you have symptoms of respiratory diseases, you should receive medical attention, wear a mask and maintain distance to avoid spreading the virus to other people.
“It is very important to reinforce the clear message of the risk of exposing yourself to these viruses without being up to date with the respective immunizations and measures to prevent the contagion and transmission of respiratory viruses,” concluded Dr. Kalergis.
