Title: Strengthening Immunization: Regional Depots Empower Health in Chile
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vital role that vaccines play in protecting our health. Produced with weakened viruses, bacteria, and toxoids, vaccines are a fundamental tool in defending against serious and potentially deadly diseases. They help our immune system recognize and combat harmful germs like viruses and bacteria.
In this vein, Depósitos de Vacunas e Inmunoglobulinas (DVI) are essential centers that receive, store, and distribute vaccines to the population. Additionally, they provide emergency supplies of immunoglobulins, proteins that our immune system produces to fight infections and diseases. According to Eduardo Barra, the regional health minister, these DVIs fortify the National Immunization Program’s operational efficiency.
Regionally, each province in Chile boasts its own DVI, with the latest inaugurated in Lebu on November 2022. Bernardita Ramírez, the DVI Lebu Director, rejoices that the new center brings vaccines closer to the territory, benefiting the high rural population and dispersed territories. Approximately 10,000 vaccine doses and emergency immunoglobulins are anticipated for storage.
The DVI in Lebu, contracted under the responsibility of the Regional Health Ministry (Seremi de Salud) and constructed by Ingemec SPA for 96 million 992 million 914 pesos, features improved and habilitated exterior and interior edification, a new electrical system, and equipment with accompanying furniture. Also, investing 31 million 612 million 231 pesos in camera frígida, which is an integral part of safe vaccine storage.
The 76 square meters of cold storage chambers, including 12 in Lebu, 23 in Los Ángeles, and 41 in Talcahuano, preserve both regular and campaign vaccines, along with clinical and non-clinical supplies. Furthermore, the Talcahuano facility hosts a 959-liter ultra-freeze chamber for extended vaccine storage. "These depots permit autonomous provincial distribution of vaccines and ensure rapid access to immunity boosters for the population," Barra iterates.
Vaccines stocked in these facilities include those against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, HPV virus, influenza, COVID-19, among others. Emergency immunoglobulin supplies for antitetánicos, antirrábico, varicela, and hepatitis B vaccinations are also on hand.
With a combined total of 140,719 vaccines – 9,276 in Lebu, 31,912 in Los Ángeles, and 99,531 in Talcahuano – and 89 emergency immunoglobulin units, these facilities significantly boost local immunization infrastructure.
According to the latest reports from Seremi de Salud, 716,000 doses of the influenza vaccine were administered, attaining an 88.3% coverage. Notably, vulnerable groups like senior residents in long-term care facilities and chronic patients show the highest rates ofadanritic compliance.
The Biobio region achieved an 85% coverage rate for the HPV vaccine in 4th grade and 84% in 5th grade. For the DTP vaccine, 1st grade students showed an 88% compliance, and 8th grade an 85% rate.
Distinctive to this region is the access to a R manger respiratorio sincitial (RSV) vaccine, provided free of charge through Nirsevimab. Over 13,000 newborns and infants from October 2023 to March 2024 receive this pioneering protection in Latin America. 7,274 newborns in maternities and 5,936 lactant infants in health centers have obtained this vital immunization, reflecting a coverage of 96% and 87% respectively.
When traveling, staying informed about potential vaccination needs is paramount. For trips to tropical regions in Africa and Latin America, the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory ten days before departure. For countries with inadequate sanitation, the typhoid vaccine is recommended. Hepatitis A vaccines protect against contaminated food and water in non-Western regions. Hepatitis B risks are prevalent in non-developed countries.
Travelers headed to regions with rabies risk should vaccinate before departure, especially those potentially involving contact with animals. The ministry of health urges those born between 1971 and 1981 (or with incomplete vaccination history) to attests to their vaccination status before traveling to at-risk areas.
Lastly, while most travel vaccinations require private clinics, the Ministry of Health offers the measles vaccine free of charge. Stay up to date with all your vaccinations before your next trip to ensure a safer, healthier journey.
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