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Farewell to Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, Pioneer of Malaria Vaccine.

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Farewell to a Pioneer: Colombian Scientist Manuel Elkin Patarroyo Passes Away

Colombian scientist Manuel Elkin Patarroyo, renowned for his groundbreaking work in developing the world’s first synthetic vaccine, has passed away at his residence in Bogotá, Colombia‘s capital. He was 78.

Patarroyo, a pioneer in immunology, suffered from health issues that ultimately led to a cardiopulmonary arrest, as confirmed by family sources. Known worldwide for his research, Patarroyo was a beloved figure in his homeland, serving as a beacon of Colombian scientific prowess.

Born on November 3, 1946, Patarroyo was a graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where he spent his entire academic career as a scientist. Remembering the late scientist, the Dean of Sciences of the same university, Gabriela Delgado, wrote on her social media account, "Today, Colombia bids farewell to a great scientist: Manuel Elkin Patarroyo. His legacy lives on, not just in the world’s first synthetic vaccine, but in the generations of researchers he inspired."

Patarroyo’s most remarkable achievement was the creation of a synthetic vaccine against malaria in 1987. This innovation offered a 40% protection range and was later donated to the World Health Organization (WHO) to be distributed free of charge.

Following his initial breakthrough, Patarroyo dedicated years at the Fundación Instituto de Inmunología de Colombia (Fidic), where he worked as the director to perfect the vaccine and expand its protection range. He also sought to develop a master formula for various vaccines.

The Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where Patarroyo obtained his medical degree in 1971, remembered their alumnus’ extraordinary contributions. They highlighted his remarkable career, filled with numerous awards and distinctions, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in 1994.

In addition to the Prince of Asturias Award, Patarroyo was honored with other prestigious awards, such as the Robert Koch Prize (Germany’s top science award) and the León Bernard Award from the WHO, among others.

Patarroyo’s death leaves a void in the scientific community. However, his legacy endures through his innovative work and the countless lives he touched during his career. Rest in peace, Dr. Patarroyo.

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Health

Influenza Vaccine Leads in Senior Citizens across Regional Healthcare System

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Title: COVID-19 in Perspective: Vaccination and Infection Rates in Pontevedra and O Salnés

Three years ago, at this time in January, the Pontevedra and O Salnés healthcare area had over 7,000 active COVID-19 cases, marking the pandemic’s peak. The highest number of reported infections was 9,260 on January 21, 2022. Fast-forward to today, those numbers seem distant, and so do the mass vaccination campaigns against the virus. However, the Galicia Regional Ministry of Health continues to work annually on protecting the population against various infectious diseases, focusing on seasonal flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccinations, particularly for high-risk groups.

According to the latest data, the flu vaccine remains the most accepted among Pontevedra and O Salnés’ residents, with a 79.65% acceptance rate among those over 80 years old, compared to 68.71% for the COVID-19 vaccine in the same age group. This trend continues across all age groups from 60 and above.

The regional government acknowledges that vaccination is one of the most effective tools for preventing severe complications and reducing the transmission of these diseases, thereby preserving public health. However, they also emphasize the need for improvement, as the vaccination rates among healthcare workers and pregnant women in Pontevedra and O Salnés, both considered high-risk groups, are particularly low. Only 44.8% of healthcare workers have received the flu vaccine, and a mere 25.83% have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Likewise, only 2.68% of pregnant women have received the flu vaccine, with 33.01% vaccinated against COVID-19.

The vaccination campaign also targets children aged 6 to 59 months for flu shots, with a current coverage of 55.9%. Furthermore, the campaign to immunize infants against RSV, the leading cause of respiratory infection hospitalizations in children under one year during the fall and winter season, has seen significant progress. As of October 31, 2022, Nirsevimab, the first monoclonal antibody for preventing RSV respiratory infections, was authorized for use in the EU. Currently, 89.56% of infants born since September 23, 2024, and 85.9% of those born since April, have been vaccinated.

Since the start of the holiday season, new cases of both flu and COVID-19 have been reported, leading to an increased strain on emergency services in the Pontevedra and O Salnés healthcare area. The situation worsened after New Year’s Eve, with a significant increase in patient transfers to Montecelo Hospital due to respiratory issues. While the number of cases remains high, especially among the elderly, a full-blown collapse has not yet occurred. The peak for both the flu and COVID-19 is not expected until at least two weeks from now, by which time many unvaccinated individuals may have developed sufficient immunity.

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Health

Santiago Tops Chile in Vaccinating Seniors Against Influenza

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Galicia‘s Anti-Grippe Vaccination Campaign Exceeds Expectations in Santiago and Barbanza

As the cold winter of 2025 sets in, the healthcare system in Galicia braces for the upcoming flu season. However, the region has reason to be optimistic, thanks to the successful progress of the anti-grippe vaccination campaign in the Santiago and Barbanza area.

Leading the Pack

The vaccination drive, targeting both the elderly and young children, has seen remarkable success. As of mid-December, the area leads the region in vaccination coverage for both seniors over 65 and children between 6 and 59 months. Theumps figure stands at 70.79% for seniors, with 81,355 out of 114,920 eligible citizens vaccinated. For children, the coverage is 69.43%, with 8,170 out of 11,768 children immunized.

Center-by-Center Performance

Breaking down the numbers, the Vite Healthcare Center in Santiago leads the pack with a 74.77% vaccination rate, while the Vedra Center boasts the highest rate among all centers at 76.84%. Meanwhile, the Rianxo Center has the lowest rate, at 60.59%.

Introducing the Intranasal Vaccine

This year marks the first time the intranasal vaccine has been administered to children aged 2 to 5. The goal was to increase coverage from 56% to 60%, a target that the Santiago area has already surpassed. The campaign continues until January 18, with the aim of further boosting vaccination rates.

Vaccination Rates Among the Elderly

The vaccination drive among seniors over 65 has seen mixed results. Those aged 80 to 84 have the highest vaccination rate at 78.86%, followed closely by those over 85, at 78.01%. The rate drops significantly for those aged 60 to 64, with only 41.22% vaccinated.

While these figures are encouraging, there is still work to be done to ensure that as many people as possible are protected against the flu this winter. With the campaign continuing until mid-January, there is still time to get vaccinated and contribute to the overall effort to keep Galicia healthy.

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Minsal Weighs Mandatory COVID Vaccine for 2025

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Title: Chile Considers Permanent COVID-19 Vaccination as Experts Recommend Integration into National Immunization Program

Five years ago, on December 31, 2019, a resident of Wuhan, China, was hospitalized with symptoms that didn’t match any known disease. This patient would become the first diagnosed with COVID-19, an infectious disease that sparked a global health crisis and was later partially controlled through mass vaccination. Chile was not immune to this global challenge.

On December 24, 2020, at 11:41 AM, Chile administered its first COVID-19 vaccine in Santiago, marking the beginning of a mass immunization campaign that has since provided over 70 million doses, including basic and booster schemes.

Now, with the coronavirus no longer the threat it once was, Chile’s epidemiological situation has evolved, leading to changes in public health strategies. In response, the Ministry of Health (Minsal) requested the Committee of Vaccines and Immunization Strategies (Cavei) to evaluate the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine in the national immunization program starting from 2025.

After weeks of debate, the expert group recommended incorporating the COVID-19 vaccination into the Decree No. 50/2021, making it mandatory for specific groups to prevent morbidity and mortality, especially in high-risk individuals, and to preserve the integrity and capacity of the healthcare system.

This recommendation suggests that COVID-19 vaccination could become a permanent public health measure in Chile, similar to other vaccinations like influenza or measles, for specific groups.

The Cavei suggested that the same objective groups currently eligible for the vaccine would be the candidates for this strategy. Currently, the vaccine is available for those aged 60 and above, immunocompromised patients, healthcare professionals, individuals with chronic diseases, and pregnant women, provided they have completed one year since their last dose.

The expert group also recommended administering the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines simultaneously in eligible population groups to optimize vaccination opportunities and administrative logistics.

The final decision now lies with the Minsal, which is currently evaluating the Cavei’s recommendation. Meanwhile, the vaccine remains available for eligible groups at public or private vaccination centers in agreement with each regional health service.

According to the ministry’s latest report, 14 people died from the disease last week. Experts have repeatedly emphasized that vaccination has been one of the most effective measures to combat the disease.

A study by researchers from the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) and Dr. Mauricio Canals from the School of Public Health at the University of Chile found that the vaccination campaign in Chile significantly mitigated the disease. The study estimated that during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, the vaccine prevented 1,030,648 infections, 268,784 hospitalizations, 85,830 ICU admissions, and 75,968 COVID-19-related deaths in individuals aged 16 and above.

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Health

Pre-Birth Protection: The Vaccine That Shields Before Birth

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La Vacunación contra la Tosferina en el Embarazo, una Medida éclair de Salubridad Pública en La Rioja

La primera vacuna de la vida de los nuevos riojanos llega incluso antes de nacer. Entre la semana 27 y 36 de gestación, las embarazadas reciben una dosis contra la tosferina que funciona como protección doble, para ellas y para los pequeños. Esta medida de salubridad pública se lleva a cabo desde hace casi una década y cuenta con alta aceptación, con un 98% de las embarazadas riojanas vacunadas este año, lo que resulta crucial para reducir la gravedad y la incidencia de esta enfermedad.

La tosferina es una enfermedad bacteriana que puede causar infecciones respiratorias graves en los primeros meses de vida, requiriendo incluso hospitalización. Tradicionalmente, la vacuna contra la tosferina se administraba por primera vez a los dos meses de vida del niño. Sin embargo, desde 2015, se empezó a vacunar a las embarazadas entre las semanas 27 y 36 de gestación, creando una doble protección para madre e hijo.

Esta vacunación en el embarazo ha demostrado ser sumamente efectiva, ya que las defensas pasan a través de la placenta y protegen al niño hasta que recibe su primera vacuna. Además, vacunar a las madres incrementa las defensas maternas y el paso de anticuerpos a través de la placenta al feto.

La directora general de Salud Pública de La Rioja, Eva Martínez Ochoa, señala que el objetivo es proteger a bebés no vacunables, menor de dos meses, los cuales sufren la enfermedad de forma grave y no pueden ser vacunados antes de alcanzar esa edad. Esta estrategia ha sido muy exitosa, manteniendo las coberturas de vacunación siempre por encima del 95%, una cifra que supera la media nacional.

"Empezó a recomendarse por un aumento de casos de tosferina en lactantes en las primeras semanas de vida. Son niños que sufren la enfermedad de forma grave y no se les puede vacunar antes de los dos meses, por lo que se vio que vacunando a las madres se produce un paso de anticuerpos a través de la placenta para proteger al bebé", comenta Martínez Ochoa.

Sin embargo, este año se ha registrado un importante aumento en la incidencia de la tosferina, con 59 casos hasta comienzos de diciembre, comparado con los 13 registrados en 2023 y solo uno en los dos años anteriores. A pesar de este repunte, el impacto en lactantes está siendo bajo, lo que indica que la estrategia de vacunación está teniendo el efecto deseado.

Organismos como la Asociación Española de Pediatría han destacado la importancia de esta medida, mientras que estudios del Instituto de Salud Carlos III han mostrado una reducción a la mitad de la hospitalización de lactantes menores de dos meses tras la inclusión de la vacuna en el embarazo.

La vacunación contra la tosferina en el embarazo se ha convertir en una medida éclair de salubridad pública en La Rioja, y su importancia se hace aún más relevante en un contexto de repunte de casos. Esta medida protector

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Health

Influenza Surge in Navarra: 19 Hospitalizations in a Week

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Rise in Respiratory Infections: Grippe, Covid, and Pneumonia Cases in Navarra

The aggravating situation of respiratory infections in Navarra continues, with a staggering 744 cases per 100,000 inhabitants reported by the Instituto de Salud Pública y Laboral de Navarra in its epidemiological report for the week of December 16-22. Out of these, 79 were cases of influenza-like syndrome, 4 were COVID-19, and 11 were pneumonia, highlighting the urgent need for public health intervention.

Grippes cases have surged, with 63 positive cases reported, up from the previous week’s 46. Worse yet, 19 individuals required hospitalization, nearly doubling the 9 hospitalizations reported the week prior. The region is also grappling with a medium-level circulation of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with 41 confirmed cases, 25 of which resulted in hospitalization, including 9 pediatric cases. COVID-19, still pertinent, has resulted in five cases, with three requiring hospitalization.

Since its inception on October 14, the co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccines has been encouraging, with 152,692 and 100,764 doses administered, respectively. Nevertheless, public health officials stress the importance of additional preventive measures. These include vaccination for vulnerable populations, maintaining interpersonal distance, mask-wearing, and adequate ventilation to mitigate severe infections.

Newborns and lactating infants are particularly vulnerable to severe respiratory infections. To protect them, health authorities advise frequent handwashing, cleaning objects they come into contact with, minimizing close contact with individuals presenting respiratory symptoms, and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, individuals with symptoms of acute respiratory infections should refrain from visiting or caring for young children.

The Region’s health department emphasizes the protective role of breastfeeding against RSV infections and underscores the importance of maintaining vaccination uptake, mask-wearing, and social distancing to combat the ongoing respiratory virus threat.

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Castilla y León Invests €1.8M in 2024-25 Vaccine Procurement

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The Junta of Castilla y León, Spain, approved an investment of €1.801,369 for the purchase of 125,150 vaccine doses included in the national immunization schedule for 2024-2025. The acquisition is based on a framework agreement with the Ministry of Health to set the supply terms of these medical products. The doses include:

– 60,000 for diphtheria and tetanus for people aged 14-65
– 15,000 for hepatitis B in adults with risk factors or exposure
– 1,700 for hepatitis B for vulnerable groups (e.g., immunocompromised, hemodialysis)
– 1,450 for hepatitis A in children with exposure risks
– 15,000 for hepatitis A in adults with similar exposure risks
– 32,000 for varicela (chickenpox) for children aged 15 months, 12-year-olds without previous vaccination, and susceptible adults

La Junta Acquires Vaccines Worth 1.8 Million to Cover Urgent Needs

The Regional Government (La Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha), led by Emiliano García-Page, has recently procured vaccines with a total value of 1.8 million euros. This acquisition is a significant step towards ensuring the region’s healthcare system is well-equipped to face ongoing and emerging health challenges.

The vaccines, procured through a tender process, cover a wide range of common and lesser-known infectious diseases. By investing in these vaccines, La Junta has demonstrated a commitment to disease prevention, public health, and patient safety.

Disease Prevention as a Priority

One of the primary objectives of this procurement is to maintain adequate vaccine stockpiles in the region’s healthcare centers and hospitals. This strategy helps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by ensuring the timely administration of vaccinations to both children and adults.

The vaccines acquired include those for measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and influenza among others. These represent some of the most common and potentially life-threatening vaccine-preventable diseases.

Strengthening the Primary Care Network

The Regional Government is also using this opportunity to reinforce its commitment to primary care. A significant portion of these vaccines will be allocated to primary care centers, enabling healthcare professionals to deliver routine immunizations close to patients’ homes.

This approach aims to make vaccination services more accessible, convenient, and patient-centered, thereby improving vaccination rates and protecting the region’s most vulnerable populations.

Looking Towards the Future

While the current procurement focuses on addressing immediate vaccination needs, it also sets the stage for future preparedness. By maintaining robust vaccine stockpiles, La Junta can more effectively respond to potential outbreak situations, such as those involving emerging infectious diseases or seasonal influenza.

Moreover, this investment underscores the Regional Government’s pledge to prioritize public health and agile healthcare services. It signals a commitment to continuously evolve and adapt the region’s healthcare infrastructure to meet the changing needs of its population.

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