Only 2 in 10 Canarians over 60 have received a Covid vaccine this winter

Still, it’s influenza that’s done the most damage to health systems this year. In fact, vaccination against this seasonal pathogen has experienced a similar situation to COVID-19.But in this case, while the campaign had a rocky start, the peak in incidence at the end of the year, coupled with the collapse of emergency services experienced by the island’s health system, has achieved Increase their vaccination rates. In fact, the number of flu vaccinations continued to grow last week, according to data presented by Health Minister Esther Monzón in the Canary Islands Parliament. Specifically, it was an increase of 57.3% compared to the previous week.

Thus, so far, the Canary Islands have successfully vaccinated a total of 234,000 doses of vaccine Targeting different target groups (over 60 years old, medical staff, pregnant women, children), the protection data is closer to previous years.

According to the Ministry of Health, by 2022, 61.08% of people over 64 years old, 45% of pregnant women and 54% of health workers will be vaccinated.These data show that the Canary Islands have so far successfully vaccinated 65% of vaccines It received vaccine against influenza this year (355,000 doses). The campaign runs until early March and the health department hopes to increase this number.

About protection interstitial respiratory virus (RSV), A total of 3,658 monoclonal antibodies have been administered to children and newborns under six months of age in the Islands. According to the Department of Public Health, this number represents almost 98% of children who have received this immunization. Experts say the campaign has been a success, with the number of hospitalizations for bronchiolitis in the Canary Islands reduced by almost half.

Opposition criticizes management

At parliamentary headquarters, advisers used the data to defend the Legislature’s first vaccination campaign, which was described as “heavy” by the opposition. “You underestimated the influenza virus,” said New Canary Islands deputy MP Yone Xarach Caraballo, stressing that the campaign started “late”.

“Experts warn that the flu virus will be strong and they recommend starting vaccinations in September, but not until October 16,” he noted. Miguel Ángel Perre from the Socialist Group Del Pino attributed the “terrible campaign” to a “complete lack of planning” that resulted in an emergency situation that was saturated and patients waiting in ambulances for more than 30 hours.

Monzon admitted that the numbers were not as good as those recorded in previous seasons, but he attributed this to the presence “Partner’s boredoml” In response, the penetration of anti-vaccination messages “outweighs any benefits from vaccination.” ” Likewise, the consultant listed the steps her region can take to reduce hospital saturation and avoid the impact on people’s health.

Therefore, in addition to the vaccination campaign, the Canary Islands has reinstated the obligation to use masks in health centers (a measure valid from January 9 to February 2) and restricted travel to emergencies and hospitals for immunosuppressed patients area. It has also increased staffing in different services, such as home hospitalization and emergencies (123 health workers are employed in the latter), designed tools to identify patients in isolation, monitors emergency pressures on a daily basis, and activated Juan Ca Two multifunctional buildings installed by Los Hospital I Hospital are located in Gran Canaria, in front of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria University Hospital in Tenerife. “With the latter, we have more than 200 beds to relieve the pressure on emergency rooms,” explained Monzón, explaining that these infrastructures already treat patients with infectious diseases.