As I highlighted before, vaccines prevent infections. Verifiably. If it is true that the National Vaccination Program began with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality in children, currently its goals are broader and more ambitious. Vaccines prevent, in addition to infectious diseases, both in children and adults, certain cancers associated with viral infections. In Portugal, the official calendar recommended by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) includes vaccines against the following infections: hepatitis B, tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, rubella, mumps, human papilloma virus, meningitis (caused by two different agents), pneumonia (pneumococcal), syncytial virus respiratory, flu and COVID-19.
Vaccines for the prevention and control of diseases (including outbreaks) caused by the hepatitis A and mpox viruses are also available free of charge.
The success of the National Vaccination Program is measured by high coverage rates: 99% of children vaccinated up to 12 months of age and 96% against measles up to six years of age. As a result of this undeniable success, we achieved, in the social dimension, the elimination of six infectious diseases, in addition to seven others already considered controlled.
On the other hand, on a scientific level, it has been demonstrated that inflammation caused by viral infections can lead to the development of cancerous cells in tissues of certain organs, namely caused by the hepatitis B virus and the human papilloma virus. Therefore, vaccines against these two infections are preventive, respectively, in relation to liver cancer (hepatoma) and cervical cancer (as well as oral cancer and genital organ cancer, in both sexes).
In Portugal, it is good to recognize that almost 100% of newborn children are protected from hepatitis B infection and that more than 90% of adolescents are already immunized against human papilloma virus infection. An achievement in the fight against cancer, since, in the next generation, the risk of becoming ill with these cancers will be practically non-existent. A pride.
This fascinating world of vaccines is clearly described in the recent publication that the Directorate-General for Health promoted and which is easily accessible on the respective WEBSITE or through the search engine in Blue Book of Vaccines: National Vaccination Program and other immunization strategies. It is a guide, structured in chapters, constantly updated, indispensable for anyone who needs information about diseases preventable by vaccination.
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Former Director-General of Health;
franciscogeorge@icloud.com
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