Actualizaciones en vacunas y vacunación. Actividad formativa de la Academia de Ciencias Médicas de Bilbao. Sección de Vacunas y Antimicrobianos y sección de Salud Pública

Abstract

On this day, we highlight the incorporation into the children's immunization schedule of the flu vaccine between 6 and 59 months, in order to prevent severity at these ages and the transmission of the virus. In addition, vaccination against meningococcus B has been incorporated in the first year of life, since it is currently that causes the highest number of cases.Thirdly, the papillomavirus vaccine will be administered to adolescent males, at the same age and with the same regimen as for females. This option has been defended for a long time from different instances, based on equity reasons, since this virus is also causally related to various cancers that also affect men.Regarding vaccines against pneumococcus, we have two types of vaccines, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine and conjugate vaccines, the latest version of which includes 20 serotypes. Conjugate vaccines have increased immunogenicity and memory and have been shown to prevent not only invasive pneumococcal disease but also localized forms of infection. However, given the great variety of serotypes that pneumococcus presents, they are not yet universal vaccines.To deal with the morbidity caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, whose incidence is associated with age and immunosuppression, we have a nonreplicating vaccine, based on an antigen from the virus associated with an adjuvant, which has shown great effectiveness and duration of protection both in the general population and in different types of immunocompromised patients. This vaccine, previously recommended in Spain for vulnerable groups, has already been incorporated into the schedule for the general population over 65 years of age. Lastly, we are seeing the development of new tools to deal with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. A new monoclonal antibody and, more recently, an RSV vaccine are already licensed for people 60 years and older. Clinical trials are underway for a pediatric vaccine. It has yet to be decided how these new options will be used in our country.