The incidence of influenza continues to decrease in Aragon.In just one week, it has nearly halved, from 125.3 to In the week of January 29 to February 4, there were 69.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. However, the rate is above epidemic levels for the seventh week in a row. It must be remembered that the basic threshold set for this season is 59.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
he beak The influenza incidence rate in Aragon reached 334.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants during the second week of January (8th to 14th). That number gradually declined over the next three weeks.
Epidemic influenza incidence
Number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants
This in turn is reflected in Reduce medical burden For use in primary care and hospital emergencies for respiratory virus-related pathologies.also reduced Global incidence of acute respiratory infections. In the fourth week of this year, there were 853.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 695.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants last week.
Last week, the Ministry of Health Leaving has no effect The ministry’s order compels the use of masks in all health centers. The decision comes after two consecutive weeks of decline. In addition, since the number of cases is below 150, the requirement for professionals in health and social hygiene centers to wear masks has also been cancelled.
Primary care has also resumed usual organizationThis comes after measures such as the use of double breathing circuits on admission, more space in waiting rooms or specific rooms for influenza cases, etc. The Ministry of Health recommends taking these actions from the second week of January to curb the spread of the respiratory virus.
Furthermore, since this Monday and taking into account Reduce the incidence of acute respiratory illness and influenza Five centers in Zaragoza are no longer offering vaccination services in the afternoon due to low demand for vaccination appointments. Since January 15, the anti-flu campaign has been open to the entire population, beyond the high-risk groups recommended for vaccination, and the Ministry of Health has raised the possibility of increasing vaccination rates. Overall, the option has been open for three weeks with the goal of increasing the number of doses administered.
However, the data shows After more than four months, interest in vaccines appears to have peaked. This anti-flu campaign in conjunction with the coronavirus vaccine started in early October for high-risk groups and has been open to the entire population since January 15.
The proportion of high-risk groups vaccinated reaches 59%. Among children aged 6 to 59 months (the first year they are included in the risk group), coverage has reached 42.3%. Even so, the Ministry of Health said influenza vaccinations at health centers will continue in case there are still people interested in receiving the jab.
Flu vaccination
According to the latest data provided by the Ministry of Health this week January 15-21According to statistics, 313,035 doses of influenza vaccine were administered during the 2023-2024 influenza season, including 16,104 doses for children under 5 years old and 200,290 doses for children over 65 years old.
In the first week of the agenda open to all Aragonese (From January 15th to 22nd) 10,598 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered in the Aragon region. The vast majority – nearly 6,800 people – were in age groups not included in the original instructions for the campaign. 440 children aged 6 months to 4 years also benefit from this protection; a further 3,700 people aged 60 and over. In this way, opening up vaccination to the entire population and calling for vaccination improved immunization uptake among groups considered to be at higher risk of influenza complications. During the week of January 22-28, 5,818 doses of influenza vaccine were registered in Aragon. More than 3,700 doses have been administered to people in age groups not included in the campaign’s initial indications. 350 children aged 6 months to 4 years also benefit from this protection; a further 1,900 people aged 60 and over.