Uruguay to expand meningococcal vaccination coverage, minister announces

Uruguay is set to expand the age range for its meningococcal vaccination program, Public Health Minister Cristina Lustemberg announced Friday.

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We are going to increase the ages of coverage, we have been emphasizing that adherence to the vaccine is very important.

Lustemberg stated that the National Advisory Commission on Vaccines recently met and decided on the increase in covered ages. The official announcement, including the specific age groups, will be made next week. "We are going to increase the ages of coverage, we have been emphasizing that adherence to the vaccine is very important," the minister said at a press conference at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center. She indicated that the expansion would likely focus on younger children, noting that current coverage is for ages 9 to 15.

Regarding vaccine supply, Lustemberg assured that the government would ensure availability. "A vaccine cannot be wasted, the government will guarantee that all children in the ages that are approved have the vaccine, there will be no difficulties in acquisition," she stated. The ministry is currently assessing the vaccination schedule in Montevideo and Canelones, areas with higher user populations.

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The most probable thing is that it will be towards the youngest ones.

In a separate but related matter, Lustemberg was also questioned about minors being treated for gunshot wounds at the Pereira Rossell Hospital. She described it as a "highly sensitive" issue that has been discussed with the Minister of the Interior and the President. "From the point of view of public health, we are a very important actor in guaranteeing that when these things happen, they have the maximum conditions of care," she said.

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A vaccine cannot be wasted, the government will guarantee that all children in the ages that are approved have the vaccine, there will be no difficulties in acquisition.

The minister reiterated that "the issue of drug trafficking" and security is a priority for the current government. "Really, when a child is involved in these situations, it is very painful, we have to work as a whole society to prevent this from happening," Lustemberg added.

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It is of extreme sensitivity, from the point of view of public health we are a very important actor in guaranteeing that when these things happen, they have the maximum conditions of care.