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Early vaccination of the largest possible number of the population, and in a short time, is fundamental and effective against COVID-19 and influenza, which are much more frequent with the entry of low temperatures, typical of the autumn-winter season.

In this sense, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, through the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), carries out the “Winter 2023” vaccination campaign, to immunize the entire national territory against the aforementioned diseases, with the main objective of preventing mortality and serious morbidity, in subgroups of the population, defined by the biomedical conditions that are associated with a higher risk of death and complications caused or secondary to infection by the virus, and of preserving the integrity of essential services.

Who can get vaccinated?

The bivalent vaccine against COVID-19, a single and annual dose, is applied to people 6 years of age and older, with the following interval:

– 4 months after the second dose, or

– 6 months after the booster dose, regardless of whether or not you received the first or second booster.

In the case of pregnant women, having completed 12 weeks of gestation, they may receive the vaccine, with a medical indication, through a medical certificate signed and sealed by the professional.

On the other hand, the quadrivalent vaccine against influenza is applied from six months of life onwards. It is free for the entire population, mainly for those who are part of risk groups, that is:

– Children from 6 to 35 months of age.

– Health workers.

– Pregnant.

– Postpartum women.

– People with underlying disease.

– People aged 60 and over.

The doses, which can be applied at the same time, are available at the country’s vaccination centers, which can be verified at the following link: https://www.vacunate.gov.py/

Vaccination day at the National Sports Secretariat (SND)

In order to promote this MSPyBS campaign, today, Monday, April 17, a vaccination day is being held at the National Sports Secretariat (SND), to protect officials and the entire community that regularly attends the Complex.

On the occasion, Dr. Héctor Castro, director of the PAI, thanked the SND authorities for the great institutional commitment in generating healthy lifestyle habits and in supporting the prevention work promoted with national campaigns. of vaccination.

People who wish to take advantage of this vaccination day at the complex can attend until 5:00 p.m.

to take into account

This year, the “Winter 2023” campaign will end on July 14, don’t waste time and protect yourself through vaccination.

After registering a period of decrease in cases, there is currently a slight increase in the disease and hospitalizations.

The cases of COVID-19 are progressively increasing after a decrease in the number of confirmed cases. “From having had 80 to 90 cases per week, we are currently registering 160 cases per week, after the period we call the honeymoon, which lasts approximately 90 to 100 days,” explained the general director of Health Surveillance, Dr. Guillermo Sequera.

Asunción and Central, are the regions that present an increase in cases of the disease, taking into account the arrival of winter, the season in which respiratory viruses begin to rise, including one of the most serious, such as COVID-19. .

In the last week (14/2023) confirmed cases were registered in 9 of the 18 health regions and in the last 114 days, the incidence rate is one case per 100,000 inhabitants.

Other respiratory viruses

Like COVID-19, there is an increase in cases of other respiratory viruses at all ages, therefore it is important to prevent serious forms of these diseases through vaccination that started on Monday, April 10.

The Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), of the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, announced that the “Winter 2023 Campaign” this year will offer citizens the possibility of accessing quadrivalent vaccines against the different types of influenza that normally circulate with the entry of low temperatures.

Emphasis is placed on the vaccination of populations framed within risk groups, such as babies from 6 months of age onwards, older adults, health professionals, essential public service workers and people with underlying diseases.

The vaccination campaign will begin on Monday, April 10 and will run until Friday, July 14, and includes the following vaccines:

Bivalent against COVID-19

It is applied with an annual dose. The bivalent vaccine protects against the original variant (Wuhan) and against the omicron variant. Thanks to this, it offers a greater spectrum of protection.

Its application is intended for people aged 12 and over. The application interval is within the 4 months after the second dose, or 6 months after the booster dose.

The Bivalent vaccine against COVID-19 protects against severe forms of the infection and reduces the chances of hospitalization and death.

Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine

Intended for the entire population from 6 months of age onwards, mainly for people in risk groups, such as children from 6 to 35 months of age, health workers, pregnant women, postpartum women, people with underlying disease and older adults.

Vaccination prevents serious cases and their complications, and reduces the risk of hospitalization.

Pneumo 23 Vaccine

Intended for people over 60 years of age, with no history of vaccination or who have received a dose 5 years ago.

The vaccine protects against 23 serotypes of pneumococcus, such as pneumonia and meningitis bacteremia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, and its potential complications.

All these vaccines can be applied simultaneously.

May winter find you protected!

From the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), they highlight the delicate situation that is presented by the confirmed case of measles in Paraguay and the cases of neighboring countries, for which it is essential to immunize the child population against this highly contagious and dangerous disease. , but preventable by vaccination.

Immunization is the world’s safest method of protecting children from deadly vaccine-preventable diseases. They are safe, effective and provide protection.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that exist, it can be transmitted through coughing and sneezing. People can become infected by breathing air contaminated with the virus or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. It mainly affects children and unvaccinated people; it can become complicated and lead to pneumonia, brain infection, and death.

It should be remembered that Paraguay was declared free of measles in 1998. However, given the circulation of the virus in other parts of the world, countries in the region reported an increase in imported cases. Currently, our country presents a confirmed case of the disease.

One of the measures implemented by the Ministry of Public Health is the new vaccination scheme, and recommends that parents or guardians protect their children with two doses of the SPR vaccine, to avoid outbreaks and serious complications, such as pneumonia, which It can kill babies and young children.

Protect your children with vaccinations

The current vaccination scheme for the triple viral vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is carried out as follows:

The boy or girl should receive their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 months of age and the second dose at 18 months. This modification applies to those born from August 2021.

Children 18 months or older with a history of vaccination, administer two doses with a minimum interval of 1 month between doses. Likewise, parents of children 18 months and older pending receiving the second dose should bring them to the vaccination center, in order to complete their schedule.

It is important to remember that, in the presence of fever and red spots, which may be accompanied by respiratory symptoms and conjunctivitis, it is necessary to go to a care center. Health personnel will report the symptoms and the case will be investigated.

In Paraguay, Article 6 of Law No. 4621/2015 “National Vaccines” establishes that all minors must be immunized, and that parents, representatives, guardians or those in charge of custody of a minor will be responsible for compliance. of this obligation. All the inhabitants of the Republic will be obliged to undergo immunization against diseases preventable by vaccination, subject to national programs.

In this regard, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, through the Expanded Immunization Program (PAI), reminds families of the importance of children maintaining their full vaccination schedules, in order to avoid complications and even death, as a result of diseases that are preventable through vaccines.

The health and protection of children is paramount, therefore, immunizing them is an action that should not be postponed.

The country’s regular scheme contemplates a series of vaccines necessary from an early age, which are available free of charge in vaccination centers for the entire national population.

Below is the list of regular schedule vaccines, according to age:

– Newborn: BCG vaccine: tuberculosis. HEPB vaccine: hepatitis B virus – pediatric.

– 2 months: rotavirus vaccine, IPV vaccine: inactivated polio. PENTA vaccine: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, meningitis. 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: pneumonia, meningitis, otitis.

– Four months: rotavirus vaccine, IPV vaccine. PENTA vaccine: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, meningitis. 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: pneumonia, meningitis, otitis.

– 6 months: bOPV vaccine: inactivated polio vaccine. PENTA vaccine: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, meningitis. Seasonal influenza vaccine: severe symptoms and complications from influenza.

– 12 months: 13-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine: pneumonia, meningitis, otitis. MMR vaccine: measles, mumps, rubella. AA vaccine: yellow fever. Seasonal influenza vaccine: severe symptoms and complications from influenza.

– 15 months: Varicella vaccine: serious pictures and complications from chickenpox. Hepatitis A vaccine: serious pictures and complications due to hepatitis A. Seasonal influenza vaccine: serious pictures and complications due to influenza.

– 18 months: bOPV vaccine: Bivalent polio 1 and 3. DPT vaccine: Diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus. Seasonal influenza vaccine: severe symptoms and complications from influenza. MMR vaccine: measles, mumps, rubella.

– 4 years: bOPV vaccine: bivalent polio 1 and 3. DPT vaccine: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus.

– 5 years: second dose of chickenpox vaccine.

– Teenagers: HPV vaccine: Human Papilloma Virus (only women). Tdpa vaccine: acellular pertussis (women and men).

It is extremely important to control the vaccination booklet and keep it updated, with the corresponding doses. Vaccines are the safest method in the world to protect children from deadly diseases, they are safe, effective and provide protection.

Our country has one of the best and most complete vaccination schemes in the region. Vaccines are safe, protect and save lives! Protect your sons and daughters.