The Ministry of Health offers changes in the immunization calendar
Create a mechanism for providing free vaccines of recommended nature for certain target groups. The free immunization of pregnant women against pertussis remains a permanent preventive measure. All mandatory, recommended and targeted vaccinations should be entered in patients’ e -health files. In case of refusal of immunization, doctors should discuss the causes with the patient, and in the case of a re -« disturbance » to follow a fine.
These are part of the changes offered by Health Minister Silvi Kirilov in the Regulation on Immunizations in Bulgaria. They are published for public consultation on Saturday.
The temporary measure becomes constant
The health ministry also proposes to create a mechanism for providing free vaccines of recommended nature for certain (target) population groups, which the presence of a certain condition – chronic illness, immunosuppressive therapy, pregnancy, immaturity of the immune system, etc. puts them at increased health risk.
Reimmunization of adults and pregnant women: Questions and answers for whooping cough
Last year, due to the epidemic distribution of whooping cough, the health ministry provided the opportunity for free immunizations of pregnant women in the 27 and 36 gestational weeks incl. It is now suggested that this is not just a temporary measure, but the ordinance to lure target immunization against whooping cough of pregnant women, which is free but not mandatory. The aim is to avoid a potential but unconfirmed risk of reducing the poisoning immune response to the newborn against whooping cough.
In children whose mothers were immunized against pertussis during pregnancy, the mandatory vaxcination against major diseases – diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, hemophilus influenza type B and viral hepatitis type – begins with the established schedule of two months. The following doses are placed at a minimum interval of four weeks, respectively about the third and fourth months of the child’s life. Even in the presence of antibodies transmitted by the mother, the vaccination is not delayed and performed on standard medical recommendations.
| Currently, those against rabies, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and typhoid fever are defined as targeted immunizations, which are severely flowing diseases (in rabies reaching up to 100%). The agency also proposes that targeted immunization against typhoid fever are eliminated due to the lack of a vaccine country against the disease. |
Digitalization and fines
The Health Minister also offers all the mandatory, recommended and targeted vaccinations to be entered in the patients’ electronic health files in order to facilitate access to information on the immunizations performed. This will cancel the requirement to provide a note by GPs for the immunization, which will relieve them of this administrative burden. It is also envisaged to create an electronic system in which all bioproducts needed for immunizations are reported. Thus, the obligation of medical establishments will be eliminated to make an annual report on their stocks.
In the abandonment of immunization, doctors will discuss the causes with the patient and persuade him for the benefits of vaccines and their safety. Upon re -refusal, there will be a fine of 50 to 100 BGN and up to 200 BGN for a second failure.
