Vaccination strategies against SARS-CoV-2: General impact on the development of the pandemic.

In this article, we will review the main vaccination strategies currently being implemented by the health authorities and analyze the main vaccines authorized by the EMA. As practical aspects of vaccination, we must make it clear that until collective immunity is reached, the preventive measures being implemented will have to be kept in place. In the words of the WHO Accelerator Project, There is no time to waste in the fight against COVID-19. No one is safe until everyone is safe.

Temporary hospitals in times of the COVID pandemic. An example and a practical view.

We describe the most widely used temporary hospital in Europe during the first pandemic wave, its structure, function, and achievements. Other models of care developed during the pandemic around the world were reviewed including their capacity, total bed/ICU bed ratio and time of use. We particularly analyzed the common and differential characteristics of this type of facilities. IFEMA Exhibition Center was transformed into a temporary 1,300-bed hospital, which was in continuous operation for 42 days. A total of 3,817 people were treated, generally patients with mild to moderate COVID-19, 91% of whom had pneumonia. The average length of stay was 5 to 36 days. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension (16.5%), diabetes mellitus (9.1%), COPD (6%), asthma (4.6%), obesity (2.9%) and dementia (1.6%). A total of 113 patients (3%) were transferred to another centers for aggravation, 19 (0.5%) were admitted to ICU and 16 patients (0.4%) died. An element of great help to reducing the overload of care in large hospitals during peaks of health emergencies could be these flexible structures capable of absorbing the excess of patients. These must be safe, breaking domestic transmission and guarantee social and emotional needs of patients. The success of these structures depends on delimitation in admission criteria taking into account the proportion of patients who may require, during admission, assistance in the critical care area.

Utility of lateral flow tests in SARS-CoV-2 infection monitorization.

OBJECTIVE: The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for medical and public health reasons, to allow the best treatment of cases and the best control of the pandemic. Serology testing allows for the detection of asymptomatic infections and 19-COVID cases once the virus has been cleared. We analyzed the usefulness of the SARS-CoV-2 rapid test of Autobio and tried to correlate its pattern with the severity of COVID19 infection. METHODS: We analyzed the accuracy and clinical usefulness of a point-of-care IgM and/or IgG test for SARS-CoV-2 in 35 COVID-19 patients [12 (34.3%) mild-moderate and 23 (65.7%) severe-critical] admitted to a field hospital in Madrid, as well as in 5 controls. RESULTS: The mean time from the first day of symptoms to the antibody test was 28 days (SD: 8.7), similar according to the severity of the disease. All patients with SARS-CoV-2 PCR+ showed the corresponding IgG positivity, while these results were negative in all control individuals. A total of 26 (74%) cases also presented with positive IgM, 19 (83%) were severe-critical cases and 7 (58%) were mild-moderate cases. The IgM response lasted longer in the severe critical cases (mean: 29.7 days; SD: 8.4) compared to the moderate cases (mean: 21.2 days; SD: 2.0).. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid serology tests are useful for the diagnosis of patients with COVID-19 (mainly IgG detection) and may also be correlated with the severity of the infection (based on IgM detection).

Inpatient hospital fatality related to coding (ICD-9-CM) of the influenza diagnosis in Spain (2009-2015).

BACKGROUND: To analyze hospitalization episodes with an ICD-9 diagnosis code of influenza (codes 487 and 488) in any diagnostic position from 2009 to 2015 in the Spanish hospital surveillance system. METHODS: Information about age, length of stay in hospital, mortality, comorbidity with an influenza diagnosis code between 1 October 2009 and 30 September 2015 was obtained from the National Surveillance System for Hospital Data (Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos, CMBD). RESULTS: 52,884 hospital admissions were obtained. A total of 24,527 admissions corresponded to diagnoses ICD-9 code 487 (46.4%), and 28,357 (53.6%) corresponded to ICD-9 code 488. The global hospitalization rates were 8.7 and 10.6 per 100,000 people, respectively. Differences between the two diagnostic groups were found for each of the six analyzed seasons. The diagnostic ICD-9-CM 488, male gender, and high-risk patients classified by risk vaccination groups showed direct relationship with inpatient hospital death. CONCLUSIONS: Influenza diagnosis was present in a significant number of hospital admissions. The code used for diagnosis (ICD-9-CM 488), male sex, age groups and associated risk clinical conditions showed a direct relationship with inpatient hospital fatality.

Hospitalizaciones relacionadas con el diagnóstico de gripe en España (2005 - 2015) / No disponible

El objetivo fue analizar el número de hospitalizaciones con el diagnóstico de gripe desde el 2005 hasta el 2015. La información se obtuvo del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia de Datos Hospitalarios (CMBD) relativo a los ingresos hospitalarios con diagnóstico de gripe entre el 1 de octubre de 2005 y el 30 de septiembre de 2015. Se contabilizaron 60.802 ingresos (códigos CIE-9-MC 487 y 488, en cualquier posición diagnóstica). La tasa de hospitalización fue de 13,08 casos por 100.000 habitantes, mayor en el grupo menor de 5 años, con 45,22 casos por 100.000 habitantes. La tasa de mortalidad fue de 0,57 por 100.000 habitantes y la tasa de letalidad de 4.39%. El tiempo medio de hospitalización fue de 9.35 días. Conclusiones: la codificación de la enfermedad gripal está presente en un número elevado de ingresos hospitalarios resultando en elevadas tasas de hospitalización, especialmente a partir de la pandemia del 2009

The objective of this study was to analyze hospitalizations for influenza in Spain from 2005 to 2015. In formation was obtained from the national hospital data surveillance system (CMBD), from October 1, 2005 to September 30, 2015. they accounted for 60,802 entries that were registered with codes 487 and 499, in any diagnostic position. The hospitalization rate was 13.08 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, being higher in the group under 5 years of age, with 45.22 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The mortality rate was 0.57 per 100,000 inhabitants and the case-fatality rate was 4.39%. The average hospitalization time was 9.35 days. Conclusions: the coding of the flu illness is present in a high number of hospital admissions resulting in high hospitalization rates, especially since the 2009-2010 season

Increased incidence of admissions for anaphylaxis in Spain 1998-2011.

We report on trends in anaphylaxis admissions in the Spanish hospital system during the period 1998-2011. Data on admissions for anaphylaxis were obtained from the Spanish Information System for Hospital Data for the period 1998-2011. Patients were selected using the codes for anaphylaxis in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios. We recorded a 1.89-fold increase in admissions for anaphylaxis in Spanish hospitals during the study period, particularly in patients aged 0-14 years (1.65- to 3.22-fold until 2009 and 4.09- to 12.59-fold until 2011) and in food anaphylaxis in all age groups (2.78-fold until 2009 and 8.74-fold until 2011). The incidence of anaphylaxis is perceived as having increased in recent years, especially anaphylaxis caused by food and anaphylaxis affecting the pediatric population.

A comparison of two enzyme immunoassay tests for the detection of IgG antibodies for measles virus.

BACKGROUND: Despite the reduction in the incidence of measles in recent years, outbreaks have appeared in various countries in Central and Western Europe. Estimating the percentage of immune individuals is fundamental for establishing control strategies in these situations. METHODS: A total of 1,147 serum samples from healthy volunteers were tested by two commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA) tests that detect antibodies for the measles virus: Enzygnost Anti-Measles Virus/IgG (Siemens, Marburg, Germany) and VIDAS Measles IgG (bioMerieux, Inc.). The following values were calculated for each test: sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios. RESULTS: Compared to the Enzygnost test, the sensitivity of the VIDAS test was 98.0% and the specificity was 78.1%. The likelihood ratio (LR) values were + 4.48, - 0.025 and +/- 0.17. CONCLUSIONS: The VIDAS Measles IgG test is a quick method with good sensitivity for detecting IgG antibodies for the measles virus compared to the Enzygnost EIA test.

Temporal trends in incidence rates of herpes zoster among patients treated in primary care centers in Madrid (Spain), 2005-2012.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate total and age-specific incidence rates of HZ with data from electronic clinical records in primary care (ECRPC) and to analyze trends by sex and age. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study covering the incident HZ episodes registered in the ECRPC of the Madrid Regional Public Health System in 2005-2012. Annual crude and age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated. Differences by sex and age were assessed by poisson regression. The annual percentage of change (APC) of incidence rates and 'breakthrough points' of the time trends were determined with the Joinpoint Regression Program. RESULTS: 211,650 episodes of HZ were identified (60.6% women, 52.2% > 55 years). The incidence rate increased from 363.21 to 481.92 per 100,000 person-year in 2005-2012. Rates were higher among women and increased with age. The APC for the period was 3.59% in men and 3.67% in women (p < 0.05). Age-specific rates increased in patients over 14 years. The APC in the 25-44 age group was 7.4% since 2007. The incidence rate ratio (women/men) was highest in this group. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HZ presents an upward trend in 2005-2012 in adults and the elderly. Monitoring the incidence and age-specific rates, will help to detect changes in trends.

Epidemiology of suicide in Spain, 1981-2008: a spatiotemporal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the epidemiology of suicide, and compare its occurrence between the sexes and in various regions in Spain. METHOD: Age-specific analysis and spatiotemporal analysis to analyse death by suicide between 1981 and 2008 in Spain. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study. RESULTS: Death by suicide has decreased since the 1990s in Spain, although peaks in suicides correspond with times of economic crisis. Death by suicide was more common among men than among women, although the suicide mortality rate increased over the study period among women aged 35-49 years. Geographical analysis showed that rural populations and areas with historically higher levels of unemployment have higher suicide rates. In contrast, less-populated regions have lower suicide rates. CONCLUSION: Suicides in Spain exhibit a clear geographic pattern and occur at different rates between the genders. The results suggest an increasing number of suicides among women aged 35-49 years over the study period.

Factors involved in health-related transitions after curative resection for pancreatic cancer. 10-years experience: a multi state model.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is one of the least common tumours, nevertheless it is one of the most lethal. This lethality is mainly due to the fact that the vast majority of patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate how different covariates affect the transition to death or discharge with and without complications after pancreatic resection. METHODS: We analyse the impact of different factors on transitions after pancreatic resection based on a multi state model. RESULTS: Transitions of interest include the transition to death/discharge with/without complications after pancreatic resection. We consider presence of comorbidities, higher age (>60), gender-male, lower hospital volume (<10 cases per year), type of surgery, localization of tumour and transfusion received as covariates with a potentially negative effect on the transition intensities to death with or without complications. CONCLUSIONS: The multi-state model allows for a very detailed analysis of the impact of covariates on each transition, since effects of covariates may change depending on the current state of the patient, thus helping surgeons and patients throughout the surgical process and counselling patients if needed.

Breast cancer mortality in Spain: has it really declined for all age groups?

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the incidence of breast cancer has increased in Spain but mortality has decreased, particularly since 1992. Despite the general decrease in mortality, the intensity of this disease differs between age groups. The main objective of this study was to examine mortality due to breast cancer for different age groups in Spain from 1981 to 2007, and to forecast the mortality rate in 2023. STUDY DESIGN: Ecological study. METHODS: Trends in mortality due to breast cancer were analysed using the Lee-Carter model, which is the typical analysis for mortality in the general population but is rarely used to analyse specific causes of death. RESULTS: This study found a decreasing trend in mortality due to breast cancer from 1993 to 2007, and it is predicted that this trend will continue. However, mortality rates varied between age groups: a decreasing trend was seen in younger and middle-aged women, whereas mortality rates remained stable in older women. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive breast cancer practices should differ by patient age.

In-hospital death caused by pancreatic cancer in Spain: application with a bayesian network.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the least common tumors (2.1%), but it remains one of the most lethal. This lethality is primarily due to late stage diagnosis in the vast majority of patients. Here we demonstrate, using a Bayesian network, that we can determine a posteriori, with a high probability of success, the probability of in-hospital death of pancreatic cancer in hospitals across Spain with information related to the type of admission, the type of procedure, the primary diagnosis or the Charlson co-morbidity index. The advantages of using a Bayesian network are that it allows us to examine multiple hypotheses and to measure the effect of the introduction of variables on our hypotheses. Being able to determine deceases in the probability of survival based on hospital admission data, such as the diagnosis resulting in the present admission or the presence of co-morbidities, could facilitate the detection of deficiencies in the patient treatment and improve hospital management. Moreover, the control of related co-morbidities may have an impact on the in-hospital deaths of these patients.

[Epidemiology of hospitalizations caused by rubella in the general population in Spain (1997-2006)]. / Epidemiología de las hospitalizaciones causadas por rubéola en la población general en España (1997-2006).

BACKGROUND: Rubella is benign in children, but in pregnant women it can produce Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) with severe consequences for the foetus. In spite of vaccination coverage in Spain being above 95%, isolated cases and outbreaks continue to occur. The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence of hospitalisations due to rubella in Spain (1997-2006). METHODS: Utilising the basic minimum dataset (National System of Epidemiological Surveillance) we calculated: rate of hospitalisation, average stay and cost. RESULTS: There were 267 hospitalisations, amongst them 144 due to rubella during pregnancy, 1 due to CRS and 8 due to encephalomyelitis. The overall rate of hospitalisation was 0.065 per 105 inhabitants (IC95%=0.0649-0.0654). The average stay was 3 days. The average cost of a hospitalisation was 2,082 euros, and if complicated by encephalomyelitis it rose to 8.191 euros. CONCLUSION: There continue to be hospitalisations due to rubella, basically due to problems in gestation and to complications in the existing susceptible population group.

Epidemiología de las hospitalizaciones causadas por rubéola en la población general en España (1997-2006) / Epidemiology of hospitalisations caused by rubella in the general population in Spain (1997-2006)

Fundamento. La rubéola es benigna en niños, pero enembarazadas puede producir el síndrome de rubéolacongénita (SRC) con graves consecuencias para el feto.A pesar de que en España la cobertura vacunal actuales mayor del 95%, siguen produciéndose casos aisladosy brotes. El objetivo de este estudio es estimar la incidenciade hospitalizaciones por rubéola en España,(1997-2006).Material y método. Utilizando el conjunto mínimo básicode datos (Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica)se ha calculado: tasa de hospitalización, estanciamedia y coste.Resultados. Hubo 267 hospitalizaciones, entre ellas 144por rubéola en el embarazo, 1 por SRC y 8 casos porencefalomielitis. La tasa de hospitalización global fuede 0,065 por 105 habitantes (IC95%=0,0649-0,0654). Lamediana del tiempo de hospitalización fue de 3 días. Elcoste medio de una hospitalización fue de 2.082 € y si secomplica con encefalomielitis asciende a 8.191 €.Conclusión. En España, sigue habiendo hospitalizacionespor rubéola, debidas fundamentalmente a problemasen la gestación y a complicaciones en el grupo depoblación susceptible existente(AU)

Background. Rubella is benign in children, but in pregnantwomen it can produce Congenital Rubella Syndrome(CRS) with severe consequences for the foetus. Inspite of vaccination coverage in Spain being above 95%,isolated cases and outbreaks continue to occur. Theaim of this study is to estimate the incidence of hospitalisationsdue to rubella in Spain (1997-2006).Methods. Utilising the basic minimum dataset (NationalSystem of Epidemiological Surveillance) we calculated:rate of hospitalisation, average stay and cost.Results. There were 267 hospitalisations, amongst them144 due to rubella during pregnancy, 1 due to CRS and8 due to encephalomyelitis. The overall rate of hospitalisationwas 0.065 per 105 inhabitants (IC95%=0.0649-0.0654). The average stay was 3 days. The average costof a hospitalisation was 2,082 €, and if complicated byencephalomyelitis it rose to 8.191 €.Conclusion. There continue to be hospitalisations dueto rubella, basically due to problems in gestation andto complications in the existing susceptible populationgroup(AU)

Epidemiology of pneumococcal meningitis hospitalizations in pediatric population in Spain (1998-2006).

The burden of hospital admissions for pneumococcal meningitis in pediatric population in Spain during a 9-year period was estimated. Data were obtained from the national information system (computerized hospital discharge data). There were 770 hospital admissions with an annual incidence of 1.44 cases per 100,000 population. Rate of death and case-fatality rate were 0.11 per 100,000 population and 7.92%, respectively. The higher incidence and rate of death was found in children up to 12 months of age and the higher case-fatality rate in children of 10-14 years of age. Further studies assessing the incidence of pneumococcal meningitis in post-vaccination period are needed.

[Serum vitamin B12 levels in an adolescent population in Madrid]. / Concentración de vitamina B12 en suero en población puberal de la Comunidad de Madrid.

INTRODUCTION: Serum vitamin B12 concentration levels in children are essential to establish values in order to compare different regions or countries, and for considering e the possibility of supplementing diets with group B vitamins as a secondary prevention against cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to asses serum vitamin B12 levels in school children, 13-15 years of age, in Madrid. Folate and vitamin B12 vitamin determinations were performed on fasting blood samples. Genotype C677T of methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme was determined by PCR. RESULTS: The mean vitamin B12 level obtained in our study was 503 pmol/l; CI 95 % CI (478-528 pmol/l). The median was 471 pmol/l; interquartile range (IR) (337-632 pmol/l). No statistically significant differences were found by age or C677T genotype for MTHFR. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations were significantly higher in females. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (< 224 pmol/l) was 6 % in males and 4 % in females. CONCLUSIONS: Reference values for serum vitamin B12 concentrations in an adolescent population are presented. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiencies is higher in males.

Concentración de vitamina B12 en suero en población puberal de la Comunidad de Madrid / Serum vitamin B12 levels in an adolescent population in Madrid

Introducción: Disponer de datos sobre la concentración de vitamina B12 en suero en niños es imprescindible para establecer unos percentiles que permitan realizar comparaciones entre regiones o países y poder plantear la suplementación de la dieta con vitaminas del grupo B como prevención secundaria frente a las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de tipo transversal, con el fin de estimar las concentraciones séricas de vitamina B12 en la población escolar entre 13 y 15 años en la Comunidad de Madrid. Se realizó una determinación de folato y vitamina B12 en las muestras de sangre obtenidas en ayunas. Se determinó el genotipo C677T de la enzima metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Resultados: Las concentraciones medias de vitamina B12 obtenidos en nuestro estudio fueron de 503 pmol/l; intervalo de confianza del 95 % (IC 95 %) (478-528 pmol/l). La mediana fue de 471 pmol/l; rango intercuartílico (337-632 pmol/l). No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas por edad o genotipo C677T. La concentración sérica de vitamina B12 fue significativamente mayor en las mujeres. La prevalencia de valores deficitarios de vitamina B12 (< 224 pmol/l) fue del 6 % en varones y del 4 % en mujeres. Conclusiones: Se presentan valores de referencia de las concentraciones de vitamina B12 sérica en población adolescente. La prevalencia de déficit de vitamina B12 es mayor en varones (AU)

Introduction: Serum vitamin B12 concentration levels in children are essential to establish values in order to compare different regions or countries, and for considering e the possibility of supplementing diets with group B vitamins as a secondary prevention against cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out to asses serum vitamin B12 levels in school children, 13-15 years of age, in Madrid. Folate and vitamin B12 vitamin determinations were performed on fasting blood samples. Genotype C677T of methylentetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme was determined by PCR. Results: The mean vitamin B12 level obtained in our study was 503 pmol/l; CI 95 % CI (478-528 pmol/l). The median was 471 pmol/l; interquartile range (IR) (337-632 pmol/l). No statistically significant differences were found by age or C677T genotype for MTHFR. Serum vitamin B12 concentrations were significantly higher in females. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency (< 224 pmol/l) was 6 % in males and 4 % in females. Conclusions: Reference values for serum vitamin B12 concentrations in an adolescent population are presented. Prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiencies is higher in males (AU)

Hospitalizaciones por neumonía en niños hasta 14 años de edad en la Comunidad de Madrid (1998-2005) / Hospitalizations by pneumonia in children up to 14 years old in Madrid, Spain (1998-2005)

Introducción: Este estudio epidemiológico se hallevado a cabo con el fin de estimar la tasa de hospitalizacionesdebidas a neumonía en la población pediátricaen la Comunidad de Madrid en un períodode 8 años (1998-2005).Materiales y método: Se obtuvieron los datos apartir del Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológicapara datos hospitalarios (Conjunto MínimoBásico de Datos; CMBD) dependiente del Ministeriode Sanidad y que incluye a más del 97% de los hospitalesespañoles.Resultados: Se produjeron 16047 hospitalizacionesdebidas a neumonía en general y 1340 a neumoníaneumocócica (Modificación Clínica ClasificaciónInternacional de Enfermedades; CIE-9-MC 480-486 para todas las neumonías, y 481 para neumoníaneumocócica en cualquier posición diagnóstica) duranteeste período. La tasa de hospitalización anualfue de 262 casos de neumonía y 22 casos de neumoníaneumocócica por 100.000 personas menoresde 14 años de edad. Las tasas de mortalidad y letalidadfueron 3,61 por 100.000 habitantes y 1,38%,respectivamente para neumonía en general y 0,11por 100.000 habitantes y 0,52% para neumonía neumocócica,respectivamente. El tiempo medio de hospitalizaciónfue de más de 8 días durante el períodode estudio para las neumonías en general y varió entre6 y 11 días al considerar únicamente las neumoníasneumocócicas. Las tasas de hospitalización fueronmayores en los niños hasta 4 años de edad tantopara todas las neumonías como para la neumoníaneumocócica y la tasa de mortalidad fue muy superioren el grupo de menores de 1 año para las neumoníasen general. Estas hospitalizaciones en niños,supusieron unos costes que variaron desde los 5 millonesde euros en 1999 hasta 8,6 millones de eurosen 2003 para el total de las neumonías.Conclusiones: Medidas preventivas, como la vacunaciónde este grupo de edad, reducirían la morbilidadasociada a neumonía y podrían reducir demanera importante el coste para el Sistema de Salud

Background and objective: This epidemiologicalsurvey was undertaken to estimate the burden ofhospital admissions for pneumonia in children up to14 years old in Madrid (Spain) during an eight-yearperiod (1998-2005).Patients and Method: Data were obtained fromthe national surveillance system for hospital datamaintained by the Ministry of Health and coveringmore than 97% of Spanish hospitals.Results: There were 16047 hospital admissionsfor pneumonia (ICD 9 CM 480-486 for pneumonia ingeneral, any listed diagnosis position) and 1340 forpneumococcal pneumonia (ICD 9 CM 481 for pneumococcalpneumonia; any listed diagnosis position)during this period. Annual hospitalization rate was262 cases per 100,000 for pneumonia and 22 casesper 100,000 for pneumococcal pneumonia in childrenup to 14 years in age. Mortality and fatality rateswere 3.61 per 100.000 persons up to 14 years in age and 1.38%, respectively for pneumonia and0.11 per 100.000 persons up to 14 years in age and0.52%, respectively for pneumococcal pneumonia.The average length of hospitalization was at least 8days for pneumonia in general and varied between 6and 11 when only pneumococcal pneumonia wasconsidered. Children in the younger groups of age(up to 4 years old) showed a higher hospitalizationrate in all pneumonias and whether only pneumococcalpneumonia was selected, and mortality ratewas importantly higher in children up to 1 year ofage in pneumonias in general. These hospitalizationsof children up to 14 years old imposed a costwhich varied from 6 million euros in 1999 to 8.6 millioneuros in 2003.Conclusions: Preventive measures, such as vaccinationof this group of age, will reduce pneumoniarelatedmorbidity and could result in large cost savingsto the Health Care System

Una nueva vacuna contra la varicela / A new vaccine against varicella

La varicela es una enfermedad universal altamente contagiosa causada por el virus VaricellaZoster (VVZ). Pese a considerarse generalmente como una enfermedad leve, en ocasiones puede provocar complicaciones graves, especialmente en adultos e inmunocomprometidos. Se ha demostrado que la nueva vacuna es altamente inmunogénica, segura y eficaz. En plena polémica sobre la introducción de la vacuna de varicela en calendario vacunal, resulta muy interesante la próxima comercialización de una nueva vacuna indicada para individuos sanos y de fácil conservación (2-8 °C), impulsando así un programa de vacunación universal contra la varicela en nuestro país (AU)