Experts Warn of Low Post-Pandemic Vaccination Rates and Resurgence of Diseases
In the context of the CuidArte art exhibition, where Sanofi and Random Room joined forces to raise awareness about respiratory health alerts, leading infectologists and pediatricians have issued an urgent call to the public to reinforce vaccination schedules. Mexico is currently facing the peak of winter, grappling with an “immunological debt” post-pandemic that has facilitated the resurgence of severe respiratory diseases.
Influenza: More Than Just a Viral Respiratory Illness
Dr. Sandra Rajme López (INCMNSZ) explained that, contrary to past beliefs, influenza does not merely “lower defenses,” but instead triggers a systemic inflammatory response. This inflammation directly affects arteries, explaining why the virus increases the risk of myocardial infarction by 10 times and cerebral infarction by 8 times.
A recent medical development is that the influenza vaccine is now recognized as a cardiovascular tool, as patients who suffered heart attacks and were vaccinated before hospital discharge drastically reduced their one-year mortality risk.
The government’s PRONAM (National Medical Protocols) recommendation also supports this, as high mortality rates in adults with comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension) have led to a suggestion of lowering the mandatory vaccination age to 50, a population highly affected in statistics.
VSR and the Monoclonal Antibodies Revolution
Dr. Miguel Ángel Minero explained why the Virus Sincitial Respiratory (VSR) is especially dangerous in infants, as their respiratory tracts are the size of a pinky finger. The virus prevents the lungs from clearing mucus, causing severe obstructions.
In response to this, the specialist asserts that for the first time, we have effective strategies that can prevent up to 80% of hospitalizations. The maternal vaccine (RSVpreF) protects infants for the first 3-4 months after birth when administered to mothers between weeks 32-36. Monoclonal antibodies, though not a vaccine, act similarly and rapidly; they are pre-made defenses injected to provide immediate protection for up to 361 days, blocking virus entry into cells with over 80-90% efficacy.
Dr. Minero added that 80% of VSR hospitalized children are healthy infants, so protection should be universal, not just for preterm babies.
Whooping Cough and Measles: The Resurgence Due to Immunological Debt
Dr. Agustín De Colsa Ranero (INP) warned that whooping cough is as contagious as measles, with one infected person potentially infecting up to 17 others. He reminded the audience that post-confinement, vaccination coverage dropped to 78%, while a 95% coverage is required for safety.
To address this, the hexavalent vaccine, which protects against six diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus), was emphasized as crucial. Completing the schedule at 2, 4, 6, and 18 months is vital.
A startling fact is that whooping cough claimed the lives of 72 children in Mexico in 2025, mostly under six months who hadn’t started their vaccination schedule. This should be unthinkable, given the availability of the vaccine for all children in Mexico.
World Cup and Overexposure Risks
With the arrival of thousands of tourists for the upcoming World Cup in June, experts urged the population to review their vaccination records. “It’s a period of high viral circulation. Being vaccinated is not just an individual decision but a national security measure in the face of a global event,” they concluded.
Key Questions and Answers
- —Is it safe to get the three vaccines (influenza, COVID, pneumococcal) at the same time?
Dr. Rajme: Yes, it’s completely safe and recommended. It’s called coadministration, which helps patients avoid losing their schedule due to lack of time or follow-up doctor visits. - —Why don’t health centers vaccinate against measles for adults over 50?
Dr. Rajme: Not due to risk, but priority. Mexican seroprevalence studies show that 90% of adults over 50 have antibodies from natural exposure during childhood. The current focus is on adults aged 20-40, with lower protection at around 70%. - —Why are outbreaks occurring now and not immediately after the pandemic?
Dr. De Colsa: Viruses need to circulate and find “niches” of susceptible individuals. It’s a gradual process. The accumulated immunological debt is now being felt as mobility has returned to pre-pandemic levels.
