A case of meningitis revealed the lack of vaccines

By Griselda Acuña [email protected]

A case of meningitis recorded at Samic d'Eldorado ignited the
alarm in the community, especially in the northern region of Misiones, and gave
instead of a recurrent consultation on the availability of vaccines
in primary health care centers (Caps) as well as
in the hospital. The answer was not very encouraging: the nation fails to comply
with the sending of doses, which resulted in a lack of
vaccinations.
The situation is serious as meningitis can
to bring a disability or even a fatal outcome. It's a
inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes that the
brain. Precisely because of the complexity of the pathology, since 2015
Argentina has incorporated immunization into the national immunization schedule
against the bacteria that causes the disease, called meningococcus.
"It is only in February 2019 that the distribution of the
vaccines against meningitis ", confirmed El Territorio of the
Ministry of Public Health of the province. Although that's last August,
Nación decided to suspend the reinforcement of 11-year-old boys guaranteed that
yes, it would apply to babies from three to fifteen months.
The reality is far from the initial commitment. In San Pedro, for example,
until two weeks ago, there were no vaccines at the hospital in the area and during
The last few days have come.
Currently, official sources report having doses
minimum and who do not know the reason for the delay on the part of the
Ministry of Health headed by Adolfo Rubinstein. Other data to which
agreed it means is that today the truck would arrive in Misiones
a certain stock which, however – they admitted – does not reach
meet the demand of the population. "Once the vaccines arrive,
will be redistributed to the main vaccination centers located
in the hospitals of the different communes and not in the Caps ",
they pointed
Creature tested positive for Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus)
She is two months old and is admitted to Eldorado Hospital.
he is two months old
Patient studies, provided by medical sources,
They reported having a type B meningococcus (considered the most serious), of which
the strain is not included in the free vaccination. Calendar
In fact, an Argentine officer only protects against four out of five
serotypes (A, C, W, Y) that contain the bacteria. However, pharmacies
to have received the Bexsero vaccine, to attack meningococcus type B,
The cost is 2,800 pesos.

Another failure of the nation

The lack of vaccines against meningitis is another failure of the
health system at the national level. A few months ago, at the meeting of the
Federal Health Council (Cofesa), Nation arbitrarily ordered
remove the strengthening of meningitis in children 11 years
The measure responds to a directive that the provinces opposed.
Only in Misiones, it is estimated that between 22 and 25,000 children will be left behind.
unprotected.
The province's health minister, Walter Villalba, said
once the determination of the national government has been announced: "
decided to suspend the second dose, which goes to age 11, which would eliminate
the status of carrier in the minor; it's part of the cuts. " The
health adjustment was a constant this year, that the
Community medical program or the disappearance of the Remediar plan.
The vaccine, trademarked Menveo, went into the calendar last year
national level, with compulsory and free indication for two groups:
from three months (up to fifteen receive three doses) and
under 11 years old. Although this is an option with a less negative impact
a context of expenditure reduction, speaks of a health context
extremely complex
"All that constitutes the vaccination programs is complex.
an immunocompromising illness increases the risk of contracting
disease. "

The dose costs 3,400 pesos in pharmacyFrom the college of
Misiones Pharmaceutics pointed out that pharmacies have the
The Menactra vaccine, intended for nine-month-olds. "It's a bit
face, but it is realized and covers many social works ",
He had a dialogue with El Territorio Patricio Schiavo, President of the
Middle School.
During a visit to the Posadas premises, it was possible to reveal that the
the vaccine in question, for the age group that is no longer protected,
It costs 3,400 pesos.
On the other hand, although the free reinforcement distribution was canceled
against meningitis, in the private sector they have stocks for the
target population, whose dose is about 2,300 pesos. And he covers four
serotypes.
"In pharmacies, there are two vaccines: the Menveo, which comes out 2,300 pesos and
has 100 percent coverage for some social work
or discounts, depending on prepayment; and there is another one that is for a
different serotype, called Bexsero. This covers a lot the serotype
more aggressive and that costs about 2,800 pesos more or less, "he explained
Schiavo, punctually in reference to the strengthening of the vaccine.
In short, the decision to make adjustments in the calendar of
vaccination is just a blow to the primary care of the
the health
The Argentine Society of Immunization and Epidemiology (Save) has
issued a statement expressing his rejection of the measure of
National Government "Primary prevention with vaccines is
a consolidated national policy in our country
constituting incontestable results in the prevention of
diseases, "they warned.