In the Google search engine, queries related to
dengue
are increasing.
In part, due to the increase in cases that have been recorded in recent days, the incessant rains and overwhelmed hospital guards, but there is a specific question that generates more doubts, particularly
among those over 60 years of age
: "Can I get the vaccine?" ?
The vaccine approved by the National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) can be applied from 4 years of age and without age limit.
It is only contraindicated for pregnant women, breastfeeding women and immunosuppressed people.
It is unlimited, but can it still be applied to people over 60 years old?
The question arises because some doctors are not recommending the application to their patients of that age.
"The studies that were done regarding safety and effectiveness were in people under 60 years of age. In people over 60, there
are still no scientific studies that corroborate the effectiveness in this population
,"
Florencia Cahn, an infectious disease doctor and president of
Clarín
, explained. the Argentine Society of Vaccinology and Epidemiology.
“Both the ANMAT and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) say that the application has no age limit, but that does not mean that there is no safety problem in the population over 60 years of age, because there is
still no record of that.
", considered Cahn, while highlighting that the highest concentration of cases is in people between 20 and 60 years old and mortality is in people over 70.
For his part, Ricardo Teijeiro, an infectious disease doctor and member of the Argentine Society of Infectious Diseases, stressed that he does not recommend
“generalizing the situations, especially in this type of vaccine
. ”
“The vaccine is a live virus, that is why we say that it is an application that must be consulted with the doctor to see if
it is really justified to give the doses
.
You have to analyze risk and benefit.
For us doctors, when we don't have the research studies that can prove things, it is very difficult for us to give an opinion,” he added.
The Qdenga vaccine from the Takeda laboratory is today the most effective we have against dengue in the country.
According to the clinical doctor at the Hospital de Clínicas Ramiro Heredia, this application in particular “must be used with certain restrictions in the older population, because it is based on a live and attenuated virus, and
the older you are, the immune response becomes stronger. inefficient
”.
“In people over 60 years of age, the application is often restricted.
It is important to see a doctor to evaluate the risks and benefits of the application.
It is not that it is contraindicated, but that there is still a lack of evidence
,” she added.
What to take into account when applying the vaccine
Regarding this, the infectologists listed the
cases to take into account the application of the vaccine
: if the person over 60 years of age lives in an endemic area, if they previously contracted the virus or if they plan to travel to a country where there are a lot of virus circulation.
“The vaccine does not protect against an outbreak, nor does it prevent you from getting infected, it only prevents complications.
All mechanisms have to go together, not just repair with the vaccine,” said Teijeiro.
“Today the decision is one by one, because it is a vaccine that is not in the vaccination schedule and can only be accessed by those who can pay for it.
There is a situation of inequality there.
Every outbreak we have is worse than the last.
It is important not to stop at just the vaccine as a prevention strategy.
You have to keep trashing and use repellent.
Vaccination is an important tool, but not the only one
,” Cahn summarized.
According to data from the latest National Epidemiological Bulletin (BEN) for week 10 that was released on Saturday, 79 deaths from dengue have already been recorded so far this season, which means a historical record and four months before the record of 2023. , when only in the middle of the year the death toll reached 65.
ACE