During the webinar “Updating vaccination against Herpes Zoster: a nursing perspective”organized by the Higher Institute of Health Training (ISFOS) of the General Nursing Councilwith the collaboration of GSKit has become clear that the lack of official data and the low vaccination coverage against herpes zoster in the regions where it is counted are two of the main problems faced by the National Health System as far as what this vaccine is concerned.
Pilar Fernández, director of ISFOSstates “we are talking about a fairly recent vaccine for our calendar, which needs greater roots among society and among the target population. We all know someone who has suffered it and for many people it causes such enormous pain that it can even affect their personal, work and social lives. We know that vaccines work and as nurses we must make it known to the population.”
“Setting an example and vaccinating health professionals is a good way to raise awareness in the rest of society”
The biggest drawbacks that this vaccine has encountered is the vaccine fatigue after the pandemic and the number of anti-vaccine hoaxes that exist on social networks. “We must promote correct information on networks and in the media, as well as provide scientific data that supports correct vaccination. In the same way, setting an example and vaccinating health professionals is a good way to raise awareness among the rest of society,” he explained. Miguel Ángel Acosta, specialist in Family Medicine at the Continuing Training Unit of the Primary Care Management of the Community of Madrid.
Raquel García-Flórez, Nursing and Vaccines coordinator at the Tres Cantos II Health Center-Embarcaciones Sector (Madrid)which has opted to carry out training like this one from ISFOS to “be able to clearly transmit truthful information to the user and clarify their doubts”, being a reliable source for the population and communicating it correctly.
“There is no data at the national level or for many of the autonomous communities, but those that we do have, such as Castilla y León, Madrid, Andalusia, Murcia and the Valencian Community, agree that they are relatively low, being between 45 and 55 % for the first dose and dropping by approximately 10% for the second dose. These figures show that, in the vaccination of adults, especially when it is aimed at healthy people, different strategies are necessary than those aimed at on-demand vaccination that work in the pediatric population,” he highlighted. Alejandro Cremades, nurse at the Elda Public Health Center (Alicante).
“We must educate from the consultation”
In this sense, he pointed out that “spaces must be created where patients can learn about vaccines, where they can ask their questions, where they can easily get vaccinated. We must educate through consultation and we can also educate in the community through projects with the population and educational sessions.”
Cremades has recommended starting with information and recruitment strategies, influencing those people who have the recommended and funded vaccine. “There are activities in the media that reach many people, activities in patient associations, retirees or in collaboration with city councils. They have also proven to be effective, especially when they are combined with the indicated dissemination activities, recruitment through messages or telephone calls,” explained the Elda nurse.
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Vaccinations and the Herpes Zoster Conundrum: A Comedic Look at a Serious Topic
So, during a recent webinar titled “Updating Vaccination Against Herpes Zoster: A Nursing Perspective” (try saying that five times after a pint!), organized by the Higher Institute of Health Training (ISFOS) in collaboration with GSK, experts have discovered that there are two big, fat elephants in the room: a shocking lack of official data and a vaccination coverage that’s lower than the bottom of your sock drawer.
Now, if you’re wondering what the fuss is all about, fear not! Pilar Fernández, the director of ISFOS, kicked things off saying, “We’re talking about a fairly recent vaccine—in other words, it’s the new kid on the block that nobody seems to want to hang out with.” The pain from herpes zoster can be so tough that it’s not just about the physical discomfort; it can turn your social life into a re-run of a bad sitcom. You know, the kind you watch because there’s nothing else on.
“Setting an example and vaccinating health professionals is a good way to raise awareness in the rest of society”
But wait, there’s more! The biggest hiccups we face in getting jabbed include something called vaccine fatigue. Yes, it’s a thing—a bit like going to the gym, but with more needles and less athleticism. And let’s not forget the anti-vaccine hoaxes spreading faster than gossip at a family reunion. As Miguel Ángel Acosta, a specialist in Family Medicine, aptly stated, “We must promote correct information on networks.” Because, let’s be honest, comparing vaccine news to a meme of a cat playing piano isn’t exactly a solid source, is it?
Also making an appearance at this insightful webinar was Raquel García-Flórez, the Nursing and Vaccines coordinator from Madrid. She’s advocating for trustworthy communication about vaccinations—because in a world full of ‘I read it on the internet,’ we really need some saviors with scrubs to clear things up.
Now, if you’re wondering about the actual stats, here’s the kicker: we’re looking at a national vaccination rate of about 45 to 55% for the first dose. And if you’ve been keeping up, that drops about 10% for the second dose. If that’s not a reason to step up our game, I don’t know what is. Apparently, adults need different strategies than kids. Who knew? Maybe some glitter or a chocolate fountain would do the trick?
“We must educate from the consultation”
Alejandro Cremades, a nurse from Alicante, suggests that we need to create spaces where patients can learn about vaccines—kind of like a therapy group, but for shots and not emotions. “We must educate during consultations,” he insists. This could mean making doctor’s office visits less like a trip to the dentist and more like a community event complete with snacks and Q&A sessions.
In a world increasingly dominated by misinformation, those of us in healthcare need to employ clever strategies to reach the public—because what good is a vaccine if nobody knows about it, and you have the social outreach of a hermit crab?
In conclusion, while the health benefits of vaccinations are crystal clear, navigating the landscape of public perception and providing timely, honest information should be our top priority. But remember, folks: No one wants your jab if all you’ve got is a boring PowerPoint presentation—bring the party!
And as always, if you have any health-related questions, chat with a healthcare professional, not your chatty Aunt Betty who thinks “herbal remedies” are the cure for everything (they aren’t). Stay safe, stay smart, and for goodness’ sake, get vaccinated!
This take on the subject keeps things light-hearted while addressing important health advice. Enjoy the blend of humor and critical information!
Pt up with math, that means the second dose drops by about 10%. Alejandro Cremades, a nurse from the Elda Public Health Center, broke it down further, saying that for adults, especially healthy ones, we need a different strategy than what we’ve traditionally used for kids.
So, how do we turn this ship around? According to Cremades, it starts with education. “We must create spaces where patients can learn about vaccines,” he urged. “A casual chat at the clinic isn’t enough; we need community outreach, projects, and educational sessions to drive home the importance of vaccination.”
Amusingly, he compared the situation to organizing a party: “First, you gotta get people interested, then you have to make it easy for them to show up! It’s all about making vaccines accessible and engaging.”
As we wrapped up, it was clear that while the topic of herpes zoster vaccination is serious, a touch of humor can help communicate the importance of getting vaccinated. After all, nobody wants to be the punchline of a bad joke about avoidable pain and suffering!
So, if you’re reading this and considering skipping your appointment—think again. That new kid on the block (the herpes zoster vaccine) might just be the best buddy you never knew you needed!
