Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 12:00h

Purchase of vaccinations

Over 43 million euros is destined to the purchase of vaccinations which form part of the systematic vaccination plan for 2008

The Ministry of Health will spend 41.3 million euros this year on the purchase of vaccinations in order to comply with the systemic vaccinations calendar for both children and adults in Catalonia during 2008. 

Of the total investment, 12.4 million euros will be destined to the purchase of the Hexavalent vaccination, which encompasses vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, inactivated poliomyelitis, type B meningitis and type B hepatitis in a single jab for infants of 2, 4 and 6 months of age.

In Catalonia, vaccination coverage is very high. For first vaccinations, coverage is around 98% and for the reinforcement dose, over 90%. This has permitted a control of the incidence of diseases and even the elimination of some. It has also prevented not only those persons vaccinated from falling ill but also those who have not been able to receive vaccines due to health reasons which are contraindicated for vaccination.