Alicante (25.03.2025). The Alicante Medical Association (COMA), the Balmis Chair of Vaccinology of the University of Alicante (UA–ASISA), and the Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL) organised the “1st Dr Balmis Conference on Updates in Vaccinology” last Tuesday, 25 March, at the Conference Hall of the Alicante Medical Association. The aim of this training event was to inform, raise awareness and engage physicians and healthcare professionals—as well as the general public—on the importance of vaccination at all stages of life as one of the most effective public health prevention strategies.
The conference called on physicians to ‘prescribe’ vaccination as one of the main recommendations for their patients, with the primary goal of reaching the segment of the population most hesitant about vaccines: adults over 65, whose vaccination coverage rates remain too low. This group is advised to be immunised against herpes zoster and pneumococcus.
The conference was opened by the Scientific Director of ISABIAL, Cristina Alenda, and Dr Hermann Schwarz, President of COMA. Dr Alenda highlighted that “vaccination has undoubtedly been one of the greatest advances in modern medicine, contributing to the eradication and control of diseases that for centuries have caused devastation among humanity. However, for it to continue fulfilling its role in protecting the health of all people, it is essential that research in this field continues to advance”.
He also added that “ISABIAL is promoting studies that help improve the effectiveness of vaccines, analyse their impact, and develop more efficient and safer immunisation strategies. Our commitment to biomedical research is essential to continue responding to emerging challenges and to ensure that society can benefit from scientific advances in vaccinology”.
For his part, Dr Hermann Schwarz stressed that “continuous training is an effort that forms part of our responsibility as physicians. I am grateful for the strong response we have received with your presence at this Conference,” and he emphasised “the need to raise awareness among both healthcare professionals and the general population about the importance of following the recommendations set out in the vaccination schedule throughout life”.
In addition, the President of the Alicante Medical Association (COMA) thanked both ISABIAL and the Balmis Chair of Vaccinology for their involvement in making this first Conference a reality, “which I hope we can repeat annually in the future.” Dr Schwarz also highlighted the high calibre of the speakers, as well as the multidisciplinary perspective shared at this forum, “with the participation of Scientific Societies and the viewpoints of Primary Care, Public Health and hospital services”.
