[Statement from the Immunization Committee of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society in reference to vaccine refusal and mandatory policy on vaccination]. / Posición del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los cuestionamientos de las vacunas y su obligatoriedad.

Although vaccines have had a tremendous impact in public health they are questioned by certain groups that consider them unnecessary or unsafe and argue in favor of the right to decide to be vacci nated or not. However vaccines must have special considerations because unlike other medical deci sions, not vaccinating has consequences not only for the individual but also for other members of the community. Immunizing a high proportion of the population limits the circulation of an infectious agent attaining what is called community or herd immunity that protects the susceptible members of the group. For this reason many countries consider vaccination mandatory as a responsibility of every citizen. This committee agrees with this view but thinks other strategies should be implemented as well, such as special educational efforts for the public and parents addressing benefits and real risks of vaccinating. Also health care professionals should be trained in vaccines. The notification system for adverse events currently available should be improved and be more accessible. Persons truly affected by adverse events due to vaccination should receive on time responses and be offered psychological and financial support. Finally all stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to work together to deliver messages that answer concerns on vaccines and bring confidence back to the public.

Posición del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los cuestionamientos de las vacunas y su obligatoriedad / Statement from the Immunization Committee of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society in reference to vaccine refusal and mandatory policy on vaccination

Resumen: A pesar del enorme impacto de las vacunas en la salud de la población, estas han sido y son objeto de cuestionamientos por grupos que las consideran innecesarias o inseguras y argumentan que las personas tienen el derecho a decidir sobre si estas deben ser administradas o no. Sin embargo el uso de vacunas tiene connotaciones distintas a otras decisiones en salud, ya que no vacunar impacta no solo al individuo, sino también a la comunidad que lo rodea. El inmunizar a un alto porcentaje de la población permite limitar la circulación de los agentes infecciosos, logrando la llamada inmunidad comunitaria que protege a los no vacunados por razones médicas o porque son muy pequeños. Por esta razón muchos países han definido las vacunas como obligatorias. Como Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones nos parece que esta estrategia es correcta sin embargo debe ser acompañada por una política de educación de la población y personal de salud sobre los beneficios y riesgos reales de las va cunas. Así mismo es necesario introducir mejoras en el sistema de notificación de reacciones adversas a vacunas haciéndolo más accesible. Adicionalmente se debe dar respuesta oportuna a los afectados por supuestas o reales reacciones a vacunas y en los casos de eventos adversos graves efectivamente asociados a vacunas. Entregar cobertura económica y acompañamiento. Finalmente es esencial la coordinación entre los diferentes actores y comunicadores para transmitir mensajes que generen confianza y respondan a las inquietudes de la población de hoy en día.

Abstract: Although vaccines have had a tremendous impact in public health they are questioned by certain groups that consider them unnecessary or unsafe and argue in favor of the right to decide to be vacci nated or not. However vaccines must have special considerations because unlike other medical deci sions, not vaccinating has consequences not only for the individual but also for other members of the community. Immunizing a high proportion of the population limits the circulation of an infectious agent attaining what is called community or herd immunity that protects the susceptible members of the group. For this reason many countries consider vaccination mandatory as a responsibility of every citizen. This committee agrees with this view but thinks other strategies should be implemented as well, such as special educational efforts for the public and parents addressing benefits and real risks of vaccinating. Also health care professionals should be trained in vaccines. The notification system for adverse events currently available should be improved and be more accessible. Persons truly affected by adverse events due to vaccination should receive on time responses and be offered psychological and financial support. Finally all stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to work together to deliver messages that answer concerns on vaccines and bring confidence back to the public.

Declaración del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los cuestionamientos de las vacunas y su obligatoriedad / Statement from the Immunization Committee of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society in reference to vaccine refusal and mandatory policy on vaccination

Resumen A pesar del enorme impacto de las vacunas en la salud de la población, éstas han sido y son objeto de cuestionamientos por grupos que las consideran innecesarias o inseguras y argumentan que las personas tienen el derecho a decidir sobre si éstas deben ser administradas o no. Sin embargo, el uso de vacunas tiene connotaciones distintas a otras decisiones en salud, ya que no vacunar impacta no sólo al individuo, sino también a la comunidad que lo rodea. El inmunizar a un alto porcentaje de la población permite limitar la circulación de los agentes infecciosos, logrando la llamada inmunidad comunitaria que protege a los no vacunados por razones médicas o porque son muy pequeños. Por esta razón muchos países han definido las vacunas como obligatorias. Como Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones nos parece que esta estrategia es correcta; sin embargo, debe ser acompañada por una política de educación de la población y personal de salud sobre los beneficios y riesgos reales de las vacunas. Así mismo es necesario introducir mejoras en el sistema de notificación de reacciones adversas a vacunas haciéndolo más accesible. Adicionalmente, se debe dar respuesta oportuna a los afectados por supuestas o reales reacciones a vacunas, y en los casos de eventos adversos graves efectivamente asociados a vacunas. entregar cobertura económica y acompañamiento. Finalmente, es esencial la coordinación entre los diferentes actores y comunicadores para transmitir mensajes que generen confianza y respondan a las inquietudes de la población de hoy en día.

Although vaccines have had a tremendous impact in public health they are questioned by certain groups that consider them unnecessary or unsafe and argue in favor of the right to decide to be vaccinated or not. However vaccines must have special considerations because unlike other medical decisions, not vaccinating has consequences not only for the individual but also for other members of the community. Immunizing a high proportion of the population limits the circulation of an infectious agent attaining what is called herd immunity that protects the susceptible members of the group. For this reason many countries consider vaccination mandatory as a responsibility of every citizen. This committee agrees with this view but thinks other strategies should be implemented as well, such as special educational efforts for the public and parents addressing benefits and real risks of vaccinating. Also health care professionals should be trained in vaccines. The notification system for adverse events currently available should be improved and be more accessible. Persons truly affected by adverse events due to vaccination should receive on time responses and be offered psychological and financial support. Finally all stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to work together to deliver messages that answer concerns on vaccines and bring confidence back to the public.

[Statement of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations of Sociedad Chilena de Infectología about outbreaks of hepatitis A in Chile]. / Opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los brotes de hepatitis A en Chile.

This document represents the position of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding hepatitis A epidemiological situation in Chile. The recommendations are based on local epidemiological data, the hepatitis A virus infection characteristics and the global experience with the available vaccines. In relation to hepatitis A, Chile is no longer a highly endemic area but actually an intermediate one, currently concentrating cases in individuals over 15 years of age, with frequent outbreaks. In 2017 we have seen an important outbreak of genotype 1A in men who have sex with men (MSM). The current endemic, the presence of regular outbreaks, the frequency of natural disasters in Chile, together with the availability of safe, effective vaccines and local cost-effectiveness studies led us to propose measures for outbreak control for high risk groups protection and mid and long term, including a more definitive solution which is universal vaccination against this disease in small children.

Opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los brotes de hepatitis A en Chile / Statement of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations of Sociedad Chilena de Infectología about outbreaks of hepatitis A in Chile

Resumen El presente documento corresponde a la opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología, en relación a los brotes de hepatitis A en Chile. Las recomendaciones emitidas se basan en antecedentes epidemiológicos, características de la infección por virus hepatitis A(VHA) y en la experiencia mundial con las vacunas disponibles En relación a la infección por virus hepatitis A, Chile ha transitado de una endemia alta a una endemia intermedia, concentrándose actualmente los casos en personas mayores de 15 años, con brotes frequentes, uno de ellos este año causado por el genotipo 1A del VHA que se concentró en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH). La endemia actual, la presencia de brotes regulares, la frecuencia de desastres naturales en el país como terremotos e inundaciones sumado a la disponibilidad de vacunas eficaces, seguras y con estudios de costo efectividad locales, nos llevan a plantear medidas para el control de brotes, medidas focalizadas en grupos de riesgo y especialmente medidas a mediano y largo plazo, que incluyen la vacunación universal de niños contra esta enfermedad.

This document represents the position of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices regarding hepatitis A epidemiological situation in Chile. The recommendations are based on local epidemiological data, the hepatitis A virus infection characteristics and the global experience with the available vaccines. In relation to hepatitis A, Chile is no longer a highly endemic area but actually an intermediate one, currently concentrating cases in individuals over 15 years of age, with frequent outbreaks. In 2017 we have seen an important outbreak of genotype 1A in men who have sex with men (MSM). The current endemic, the presence of regular outbreaks, the frequency of natural disasters in Chile, together with the availability of safe, effective vaccines and local cost-effectiveness studies led us to propose measures for outbreak control for high risk groups protection and mid and long term, including a more definitive solution which is universal vaccination against this disease in small children.

[Statement from the Immunization Committee of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society in reference to vaccine refusal and mandatory policy on vaccination]. / Declaración del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de Sociedad Chilena de Infectología en relación a los cuestionamientos de las vacunas y su obligatoriedad.

Although vaccines have had a tremendous impact in public health they are questioned by certain groups that consider them unnecessary or unsafe and argue in favor of the right to decide to be vaccinated or not. However vaccines must have special considerations because unlike other medical decisions, not vaccinating has consequences not only for the individual but also for other members of the community. Immunizing a high proportion of the population limits the circulation of an infectious agent attaining what is called herd immunity that protects the susceptible members of the group. For this reason many countries consider vaccination mandatory as a responsibility of every citizen. This committee agrees with this view but thinks other strategies should be implemented as well, such as special educational efforts for the public and parents addressing benefits and real risks of vaccinating. Also health care professionals should be trained in vaccines. The notification system for adverse events currently available should be improved and be more accessible. Persons truly affected by adverse events due to vaccination should receive on time responses and be offered psychological and financial support. Finally all stakeholders should make coordinated efforts to work together to deliver messages that answer concerns on vaccines and bring confidence back to the public.

[Reasons to recommend vaccination against dengue in Easter Island: Immunization Advisory Committee of Sociedad Chilena de Infectología]. / Razones para recomendar la vacunación contra el dengue en Isla de Pascua: Opinión del Comité de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología.

Dengue was first diagnosed on Easter Island on year 2002 and thereafter recurrent outbreaks have occurred involving different serotypes of dengue virus. Its vector, Aedes aegypti has not been eliminated despite the small size of the island. Conditions at the local hospital preclude adequate management of severe and hemorrhagic cases due to the absence of a Critical Care Unit as well as no availability of platelets, or plasma units for transfusion. Besides, transfer, of severely affected patients to continental Chile is cumbersome, slow and expensive. In this scenario, it is advisable to implement selective vaccination of Easter Island habitants with an available quadrivalent attenuated dengue vaccine with the aim to reduce hemorrhagic and severe dengue cases. This strategy should not replace permanent efforts to control waste disposal sites, water sources, maintain vector surveillance and increase education of the population.

Estrategias para proteger al recién nacido y lactante menor de 6 meses de la coqueluche: Posición del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología (CCI) / Strategies to protect the newborn and infants under 6 months of age against pertussis: Statement of the Advisory Committee for Immunizations of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society

In recent years there have been Pertussis outbreaks not seen in the last 50 years affecting adults, adolescents and children and causing deaths in young unvaccinated infants. In Chile an outbreak of Pertussis started in year 2011, leaving 16 infants less than 3 months dead during this year, twice the number seen in a non epidemic year. These children were infected before receiving the programmatic vaccines indicated at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, usually from close contacts, especially their mothers. Pertussis control has not been possible for several reasons, such as limited immunity duration of available vaccines and their poor impact on nasopharyngeal carriage, situation that keeps the agent's circulation and transmission, condition often asymptomatic or unrecognized. Additionally, the use of acellular vaccines appears to be a determining factor because they induce an immune response with poor immune memory and consequently a short time duration. The acellular vaccines with reduced antigen content, available for adolescents and adults, has allowed the evaluation of various strategies but none has succeeded in reducing infant mortality. Recently a new strategy of vaccinating pregnant women against Pertussis in the second or third semester has shown remarkable results reducing up to 90% infant deaths due to Pertussis infection. This strategy prevents mother's infection avoiding child infection through respiratory droplets and also provides the child with antibodies from placental transmission. Improved pertussis vaccines are required, in the meantime the Committee considers that the pregnant immunization strategy, between the 27 and 36 weeks, with acellular pertussis vaccine should be included in our national vaccine program.

En los últimos años se han observado brotes de coqueluche no vistos en 50 años, afectando a adultos, adolescentes y escolares y provocando muertes en lactantes pequeños aún no vacunados. En Chile, en 2011 se inicia un brote con 16 lactantes bajo 3 meses de edad, fallecidos ese año el doble de muertes de un año no epidémico. Estos niños se infectan antes de recibir las vacunas programáticas de los 2, 4 y 6 meses de edad, a partir de contactos cercanos, en especial de su propia madre. El control de la coqueluche no ha sido posible por varias razones, como la duración acotada de la inmunidad de las vacunas disponibles y su escaso impacto en la portación nasofaríngea que mantiene la circulación y trasmisión del agente, con frecuencia en forma asintomática o no reconocida. Adicionalmente, el uso de las vacunas acelulares pareciera ser un factor determinante pues inducen una respuesta inmune con una pobre memoria inmunológica y por ello de duración más breve. La disponibilidad de vacunas acelulares de contenido antigénico reducido para adolescentes y adultos ha permitido ensayar diversas estrategias, pero ninguna ha logrado reducir la mortalidad de los lactantes. Más recientemente se ha ensayado la vacunación de la madre en el 2° o 3er trimestre del embarazo con resultados notables pues ha disminuido en más de 90% las muertes de lactantes por coqueluche. Esta medida evita la infección de la madre y con ello su transmisión por vía respiratoria al niño y permite transferir anticuerpos por vía placentaria. En espera de mejores vacunas, este comité considera que la inmunización de la mujer embarazada, idealmente entre las 27 y 36 semanas, con vacuna anti-coqueluche acelular debiera ser incluida en nuestro país en forma programática.

[Statement of the Advisory Immunization Committee of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases on the emergence of serotype 19A pneumococcal infection and the use of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in Chilean children]. / Opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones Sociedad Chilena de Infectología: Vacuna neumocóccica conjugada en niños y la emergencia de serotipo 19A.

Inclusion of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV10) in the Chilean infant vaccination Program in 2011 was followed by a reduction of hospital admissions and pneumonia-related deaths in this age group. However, a progressive increase of serotype 19A pneumococcal isolates (not included in PCV10) has been observed. According to the analysis of pneumococcal strains performed by the national reference laboratory of the Institute of Public Health as part of a national surveillance on invasive pneumococcal infections, the relative proportion of serotype 19A isolates increased from <5% before 2010 to 12-23% in years 2014-2015. Serotype 19A represented 4-8% of the isolates in the pre-vaccine era among children less than 2 years, increasing to 25% during 2014. This increase has been documented in two-thirds of the national territory. Aimong children <5 years of age, 25% of 19A serotype isolates from non-meningeal infections were penicillin resistant wheras from meningeal infections near 100% were penicillin resistant. Genetic analysis indicates that 48% of these 19A strains belong to clonal complex 320, recognized for its pandemic potential and high antimicrobial resistance. Among children, most invasive infections secondary to serotype 19A have occurred in patients fully vaccinated with PCV10. These epidemiological changes indicate an increase in invasive pneumococcal infections by serotype 19A in Chile and the need to control this problem by changing the current PCV10 for the PCV13 vaccine containing serotype 19A.

Razones para recomendar la vacunación contra el dengue en Isla de Pascua: Opinión del Comité de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología / Reasons to recommend vaccination against dengue in Easter Island: Immunization Advisory Committee of Sociedad Chilena de Infectología

Dengue was first diagnosed on Easter Island on year 2002 and thereafter recurrent outbreaks have occurred involving different serotypes of dengue virus. Its vector, Aedes aegypti has not been eliminated despite the small size of the island. Conditions at the local hospital preclude adequate management of severe and hemorrhagic cases due to the absence of a Critical Care Unit as well as no availability of platelets, or plasma units for transfusion. Besides, transfer, of severely affected patients to continental Chile is cumbersome, slow and expensive. In this scenario, it is advisable to implement selective vaccination of Easter Island habitants with an available quadrivalent attenuated dengue vaccine with the aim to reduce hemorrhagic and severe dengue cases. This strategy should not replace permanent efforts to control waste disposal sites, water sources, maintain vector surveillance and increase education of the population.

El dengue surgió el año 2002 en Isla de Pascua y se ha presentado en brotes intercurrentes desde entonces con aparición de diferentes serotipos. El vector Aedes aegypti no ha logrado ser eliminado a pesar del pequeño tamaño de la isla y las condiciones del hospital local no permiten el manejo de casos graves por ausencia de una unidad de cuidados intensivos y disponibilidad de transfusiones de plaquetas o plasma fresco congelado. Además, el traslado de pacientes graves hacia el continente no es inmediato y es muy costoso. En este escenario, es aconsejable vacunar selectivamente a la población residente con la vacuna cuadrivalente atenuada para disminuir la probabilidad de dengue grave. Esta estrategia no debe reemplazar los esfuerzos para el control de basurales, fuentes de agua, vigilancia del vector y educación de la población.

Opinión del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones Sociedad Chilena de Infectología: Vacuna neumocóccica conjugada en niños y la emergencia de serotipo 19A / Statement of the Advisory Immunization Committee of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases on the emergence of serotype 19A pneumococcal infection and the use of pneumococcal conjugated vaccine in Chilean children

La incorporación de la vacuna conjugada antineumocóc-cica 10 valente (PCV10) en lactantes en Chile el año 2011 ha permitido reducir las hospitalizaciones y muertes por neumonía en este grupo etario. Sin embargo, se ha observado desde entonces un aumento progresivo de los aislados de Streptococcus pneumoniae del serotipo 19A no incluido en la vacuna en uso (de < 5% del total de cepas recibidas en el Laboratorio de Referencia Nacional del Instituto de Salud Pública para vigilancia de infecciones invasores causadas por S. pneumoniae hasta el año 2010, a 12-23% en los años 2014-2015). En lactantes, el serotipo 19A representaba 4 a 8% de los aislados en la era pre vacuna, porcentaje que se incrementa a 25% el 2014. Este aumento ha ocurrido en dos terceras partes de las regiones administrativas del país. Cepas del serotipo 19A de pacientes menores de 5 años, muestran 25% de resistencia a penicilina para aislados extra-meníngeos y casi 100% para aislados de meningitis. El análisis genético de las cepas del serotipo 19A ha demostrado que 48% pertenecen al complejo clonal 320 de carácter pandémico y asociado a resistencia antimicrobiana. Además, casi todas las infecciones invasoras por serotipo 19A en niños se han dado en pacientes con esquema completo de vacunación PCV10. Los cambios epidemiológicos presentados indican la emergencia de infecciones invasoras por el serotipo 19A y la necesidad de controlar este problema con el cambio de la vacuna PCV10 a la vacuna PCV13 que contiene el serotipo 19A.

Inclusion of the 10-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV10) in the Chilean infant vaccination Program in 2011 was followed by a reduction of hospital admissions and pneumonia-related deaths in this age group. However, a progressive increase of serotype 19A pneumococcal isolates (not included in PCV10) has been observed. According to the analysis of pneumococcal strains performed by the national reference laboratory of the Institute of Public Health as part of a national surveillance on invasive pneumococcal infections, the relative proportion of serotype 19A isolates increased from <5% before 2010 to 12-23% in years 2014-2015. Serotype 19A represented 4-8% of the isolates in the pre-vaccine era among children less than 2 years, increasing to 25% during 2014. This increase has been documented in two-thirds of the national territory. Aimong children <5 years of age, 25% of 19A serotype isolates from non-meningeal infections were penicillin resistant wheras from meningeal infections near 100% were penicillin resistant. Genetic analysis indicates that 48% of these 19A strains belong to clonal complex 320, recognized for its pandemic potential and high antimicrobial resistance. Among children, most invasive infections secondary to serotype 19A have occurred in patients fully vaccinated with PCV10. These epidemiological changes indicate an increase in invasive pneumococcal infections by serotype 19A in Chile and the need to control this problem by changing the current PCV10 for the PCV13 vaccine containing serotype 19A.

[Knowledge and attitudes of the parents in relation to the vaccination of their children]. / Conocimiento y actitudes de los padres en relación a la vacunación de sus hijos.

INTRODUCTION: Vaccination, a health action that has allowed to decrease mortality and to eradicate many diseases, may be at risk as a result of misinformation of parents and campaigns led by movements against vaccines. OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the knowledge and attitudes of parents of newborns and children of 2 and more months of age against the application of vaccines. METHOD: Exploratory study performed by application of a questionnaire to parents attending the UC CHRISTUS health network. RESULTS: Knowledge and attitude of parents of newborns is rated as very good. 32.5% think that the vaccines can cause damage or claim not to know and have wrong knowledge; vaccination is considered a measure in favor of their childrens' health, but manifest that scarce information does not allow to make right decisions and suspect economic interests behind them. The parents of older children have no precise knowledge of the existing calendar, nor of the name of vaccines. They think that the existing information does not allow them to be sure of the real benefits, with some of them even feeling forced to vaccinate their children. DISCUSSION: It is urgent to educate and answer questions about the importance and safety of vaccines and to perform studies at a national level.

Conocimiento y actitudes de los padres en relación a la vacunación de sus hijos / Knowledge and attitudes of the parents in relation to the vaccination of their children

Introduction: Vaccination, a health action that has allowed to decrease mortality and to eradicate many diseases, may be at risk as a result of misinformation of parents and campaigns led by movements against vaccines. Objective: To describe and analyze the knowledge and attitudes of parents of newborns and children of 2 and more months of age against the application of vaccines. Method: Exploratory study performed by application of a questionnaire to parents attending the UC CHRISTUS health network. Results: Knowledge and attitude of parents of newborns is rated as very good. 32.5% think that the vaccines can cause damage or claim not to know and have wrong knowledge; vaccination is considered a measure in favor of their childrens' health, but manifest that scarce information does not allow to make right decisions and suspect economic interests behind them. The parents of older children have no precise knowledge of the existing calendar, nor of the name of vaccines. They think that the existing information does not allow them to be sure of the real benefits, with some of them even feeling forced to vaccinate their children. Discussion: It is urgent to educate and answer questions about the importance and safety of vaccines and to perform studies at a national level.

Introducción: La vacunación, acción sanitaria que ha permitido disminuir la mortalidad y erradicar muchas enfermedades, puede estar en riesgo como resultado de la desinformación de los padres y campañas del movimiento anti vacunas. Objetivo: Describir y analizar conocimiento y actitudes de padres de recién nacidos y niños de dos y más meses de edad, en relación a la aplicación de vacunas. Método: Estudio exploratorio, descriptivo, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario a padres asistentes a la Red de Salud UC CHRISTUS. Resultados: El conocimiento y actitud de los padres de RN es catalogado como muy bueno. El 35,2%, piensa que las vacunas pueden causar daño y declara no saber y tiene conocimientos errados. Señalan que la información existente no les permite tomar decisiones correctas y sospechan intereses económicos detrás de los programas de vacunación. Los padres de niños mayores, no tienen conocimiento preciso del calendario vigente, ni del nombre de las vacunas. Opinan que la información existente no les permite estar seguros de los reales beneficios, sintiéndose algunos, obligados a vacunar a sus hijos. Discusión: Es urgente educar y aclarar dudas en torno a la importancia y seguridad de las vacunas y realizar estudios nacionales.

[Strategies to protect the newborn and infants under 6 months of age against pertussis: Statement of the Advisory Committee for Immunizations of the Chilean Infectious Diseases Society]. / Estrategias para proteger al recién nacido y lactante menor de 6 meses de la coqueluche: Posición del Comité Consultivo de Inmunizaciones de la Sociedad Chilena de Infectología (CCI).

In recent years there have been Pertussis outbreaks not seen in the last 50 years affecting adults, adolescents and children and causing deaths in young unvaccinated infants. In Chile an outbreak of Pertussis started in year 2011, leaving 16 infants less than 3 months dead during this year, twice the number seen in a non epidemic year. These children were infected before receiving the programmatic vaccines indicated at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, usually from close contacts, especially their mothers. Pertussis control has not been possible for several reasons, such as limited immunity duration of available vaccines and their poor impact on nasopharyngeal carriage, situation that keeps the agent's circulation and transmission, condition often asymptomatic or unrecognized. Additionally, the use of acellular vaccines appears to be a determining factor because they induce an immune response with poor immune memory and consequently a short time duration. The acellular vaccines with reduced antigen content, available for adolescents and adults, has allowed the evaluation of various strategies but none has succeeded in reducing infant mortality. Recently a new strategy of vaccinating pregnant women against Pertussis in the second or third semester has shown remarkable results reducing up to 90% infant deaths due to Pertussis infection. This strategy prevents mother's infection avoiding child infection through respiratory droplets and also provides the child with antibodies from placental transmission. Improved pertussis vaccines are required, in the meantime the Committee considers that the pregnant immunization strategy, between the 27 and 36 weeks, with acellular pertussis vaccine should be included in our national vaccine program.

Consulta de educación para el autocuidado en salud (EPAS) en recién nacidos: una modalidad innovadora de atención / Self care health education in newborn children: a new care modality

La educación para el autocuidado es un concepto muy interesante que incorpora al paciente y/o a los padres del paciente, en el caso de los niños, en los aspectos preventivos y curativos de la salud. Se presenta la experiencia del Servicio de Pediatría del Centro de Diagnóstico