September is now the new deadline given for the replacement of the BCG vaccine (anti-tuberculosis) by the Danish State laboratory that supplies Portugal.
So, at least until then, the mothers of babies born since May in the Algarve and in the rest of the country, will have to wait a few more weeks until they are able to give their children that vaccine included in the National Vaccination Plan.
The General Directorate of Health (DGS), in a statement published on its website, explains that "in 2015, the BCG vaccine has not been available in hospitals and health centers since May."
That entity assures that «this situation does not pose a risk to public health, as the prevention and control of tuberculosis is based on several measures, in addition to the vaccination of newborns», especially as «the incidence of tuberculosis in Portugal has been decreasing, and the risk of disease transmission in the community is low».
The DGS adds that, "in collaboration with INFARMED and with the support of the Technical Vaccination Commission, it is analyzing the possibility of using another BCG vaccine", since "the only BCG vaccine that is authorized in Portugal, and in In most European countries, it is produced by a public laboratory in Denmark', whose supply, 'in recent years', has 'suffered unforeseen interruptions of varying duration'.
When the situation is resolved, that is, "when the supply of the vaccine is re-established", "the caregivers of unvaccinated babies will be contacted by the respective Health Centre", says the DGS.
All these guarantees given by that official body do not reassure mothers in the Algarve. Ana Ouro Cruz, of Faro, mother of a 2-month-old boy, has been waiting since he was born, on June 9, for the BCG vaccine, which should have been given while still in hospital.
“I've been worried about vaccination since May. He had not yet been born and the indications were always: “at the end of the month”, “at the beginning of next month”… Until today we are waiting for a contact, if only to give us some explanation», added Ana Cruz.
This mother points out that her baby's health "is good, even because he has contact with few people, but his 4-year-old sister goes to kindergarten, with so many other children that we don't know who they get along with in their family life" .
Teresa Silva, mother of Carlota, two and a half months old, regrets that whenever she asks at the Loulé Health Center when she will be able to give her daughter the BCG vaccine, the only answer is: «we don't know, in a few weeks, from here a few days away».
On one of the occasions, he guarantees, they replied that “BCG is no longer important, it is not needed”. But, asks the young mother, “if it is not important, why is it maintained in the National Vaccination Plan? Moreover, now that so much talk about tuberculosis cases has been heard again, even here in the Algarve».
The Algarve Regional Health Administration, contacted by Sul Informação, said to be “aware of this issue, which is not just Algarve, but affects the entire country and beyond. The lack of this vaccine is a problem for the whole country and is caused by difficulties in the laboratory that produces it, in Denmark».
In any case, the spokesperson for ARS Algarve reassured, “all mothers and children who are waiting to be vaccinated will be contacted as soon as the vaccine arrives”.
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