The Regional Secretary for Health announced today that the Government of the Azores has decided to "include the rotavirus vaccine in the ordinance regulating the reimbursement scheme," pointing out that "it is an important support measure for families with children."
Luís Cabral spoke at the Legislative Assembly during a debate on the ordinance regulating the reimbursement scheme of the Regional Health Service. The government official congratulated the Parliamentary Group of the Socialist Party that, unlike PSD, has provided a constructive contribution with some changes to the document, namely the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine.
The rotavirus is a very frequent and very contagious virus that is frequently associated to viral gastroenteritis cases in children and infants, the most common cause of severe diarrhoea and vomiting in young children.
These symptoms can quickly lead to dehydration, which may lead to complications and hospitalisations.
The Regional Secretary also announced the introduction of amendments to the "refund of the pneumococcal vaccine" in order to cover adults, according to the technical specifications that have now proven that this vaccine "not only protects children but also risk groups and the elderly."
"Hence, the ordinance will also be amended with the aim of reimbursing all the adults who to take the pneumococcal vaccine in accordance with their income tax level," Luís Cabral said, recalling that "the full refund is only available for lower income levels."
The Regional Secretary also announced changes to the threshold values of some tests, according to the proposals submitted on this matter.