How coronavirus becomes more and more controlled, and societies quickly return to their pre-pandemic functions, the resumption of classical vaccination becomes necessary again. This is what all experts emphasize, especially at this stage, when the outbreak of influenza, influenza and respiratory viruses have made their presence among children very noticeable.

For a month now, doctors have been calling for immediate vaccination against fluhowever, many scientists suggest that the vaccine in question should concern the whole of society, and not just the vulnerable.

However, over time, a number of vaccine neglected by a significant part of adult citizens due to the lack of relevant information about them, according to John PavlopoulouProfessor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at EKPA and member of the National Vaccination Committee.

As he explains to “K”: “The vaccine against tetanus-diphtheria is one of those “forgotten” vaccines. It even needs to be repeated every 10 years. What ends up happening with tetanus is that after every troubling injury, citizens go to the pharmacy to make a tetanus toxoid serum. But this only protects them for 30 days, unlike the tetanus vaccine, which provides protection for ten years.

Vaccination is also important. diphtheria– recall that a few years ago in our country a child died of respiratory diphtheria. They are also recorded cases of cutaneous diphtheria adult refugees who traveled through Greece to other European countries.”

Ms. Pavlopoulou emphasizes that pneumococcal vaccine for those over 60, but also for the vulnerable (and especially for those with breathing problems) it is also a neuralgic vaccine, while important but “forgotten” vaccines are also choking cough and his shingles.

About childhood vaccinationsaccording to her, her difficult period pandemic this pushed back regular vaccinations in this social group, but now the pace of their implementation has begun to recover.

“However, the vaccine that will see problems with delayed administration in a few years is the HPV vaccine, which concerns the prevention of cervical cancer in women, as well as other prostate and head cancers in both sexes. “concludes Ms Pavlopoulou, urging parents with children aged 10 and over to schedule this vaccination immediately.

Adult Vaccine Confusion

“The truth is that it is we, pulmonologists, both in hospital polyclinics and in private clinics, who speak to citizens in all tones about the value of the pneumococcal vaccine, and not only to those over 60, but also to smokers,” emphasizes Stelios Loukidis, President of the Hellenic Pulmonary Society.

As he adds: “And we may not have data on how many citizens are vaccinated against pneumococcus, given that Greece does not have a vaccination registry for adultswhich is problematic, but we doctors find in practice that few citizens take this important vaccine.”

It is noted that pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia, as well as a common cause of otitis media and meningitis. At the same time, it can create serious complications for those who have the flu. In other words, this vaccine is a powerful preventive weapon against pneumonia (especially if it occurred after infection with a coronavirus or flu).

Mr. Loukidis also notes that in addition to the lack of information, there is also confusion about adult vaccinations. As he explains: “When the 13 dynamo-pneumococcal vaccine (PS Prevenar) is often described by pharmacists as a “lifelong” vaccine, are we preventing citizens from definitively remembering that they must repeat it every five years? Or, how many people know if they received all the necessary doses for whooping cough? This year, the first year that the pandemic has been tamed, it’s time to return to classic vaccinations.”

Indeed, according to Mr. Loukidis, since mid-December, when winter usually begins in our country, doctors expect an increase in cases of respiratory infections and, as an experienced pulmonologist notes, “this year the flu may prevail, not the corona virus.”

“A systematic reminder is needed”

The professor of the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the EKPA also spoke about the constant lack of information on this issue. Ghikas Mallorca.

According to him, “Most citizens of our country under the age of 50 do not go to the doctor, unless they start to have health problems. This culture keeps them from being vaccinated. However, with sporadic information campaigns, we cannot explain to citizens why the vaccine against pneumococcus or herpes zoster is so important.”

According to him, with adults it should be the same as with children – the doctor must constantly remind every citizen when and what kind of vaccination he should be given. “Iso this is an opportunity to do it now, with a personal doctor. And, perhaps, reminiscent doses of the coronavirus vaccine tired many citizens during the years of the pandemic, but, on the other hand, they reminded them of the importance and value of vaccinations,” concludes Mr. Majorkinis.