Meningococcus: Health Ministry 'focuses' vaccination for 9- to 15-year-olds; has not set date for 2- to 8-year-olds

Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health (MSP) is prioritizing free meningococcal vaccinations for adolescents aged nine to 15 throughout August. Minister Cristina Lustemberg announced that the campaign will "focus" on this age group, while discussions are ongoing regarding the timeline for including children aged two to eight, who are not yet covered by the free program.

Lustemberg clarified that the decision to extend coverage to younger children is not dependent on vaccine supply, as 343,000 doses arrived recently. Instead, she described it as a "gradual strategy" of immunization. The ministry stated there is no epidemic, but rather an "unusual increase" in cases, prompting a focus on groups identified as having "higher risk," such as adolescents, who are considered the primary reservoir and carriers of the disease.

To facilitate access, 8,000 additional vaccination slots were opened for 9- to 15-year-olds in the southern region, which quickly filled up. The minister acknowledged the logistical challenges of distributing vaccines across 180 vaccination centers, with plans to expand to 400 nationwide. She assured the public that more appointment times are being made available rapidly.

The MSP aims to vaccinate all adolescents aged nine to 15 by the end of August. A nationwide "massive vaccination campaign" with appointments is scheduled for August 20. Additionally, starting August 10, vaccination efforts will be strengthened in schools and high schools to reach adolescents more effectively. The ministry also urged families not to neglect routine vaccinations for younger children, including the Bexsero vaccine for infants and the MenFive vaccine for one-year-olds.

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La vamos a resolver en el ámbito de la Comisión Nacional Asesora de Vacunas (…). Veremos cuándo la vamos a incorporar