It starts with health workers and the elderly, then continues with high-risk groups.It will be available in health centers and hospitals
The province of Santa Fe begins its 2024 influenza virus vaccination campaign this Thursday or influenza, applicable annually, free and mandatory, under National Immunization Calendar.
In response, Gabriela Clementz, head of the provincial Expanded Program on Immunization (PAI), announced the logistical aspects of the campaign, stressing The importance of its implementation.
“Flu vaccination campaign begins Designed to reduce complications, hospitalizations, sequelae and death due to an infection caused by the influenza virus,” Clements explained.
“We vaccinate the most vulnerable and exposed first and then continue through the process,” he explained Target population or recipient: health workers and personnel, Staff and residents of senior facilities (Older adults); Because while all of us can have this disease, some groups are more likely to develop complications. “
“In this way, the first doses of the vaccine will be allocated to these two highest risk groups and in accordance with the national Ministry of Health regulations, this will be done in a staggered manner, with health workers being vaccinated first,” he added. They must provide care for those most vulnerable due to age, as well as the elderly during the worst of the flu. “
After health care workers and the elderly, Pregnant women should start vaccination in any trimester of pregnancy; and Postpartumif they were not vaccinated during pregnancy, Children 6 months to 2 years oldpeople ages 2 to 64 with risk factors, and people 65 and older.
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Importance of annual dosing
Furthermore, Gabriela Clementz explains the importance of giving annual doses to target groups.In this sense, he stressed: “Every March/April we hope that the national health authorities will have the vaccines in circulation for that year, say 2024. Therefore, as they become available, new strains begin to be distributed and application, its formulation is different from strains used in previous years (2023 in this case). Here’s why It is necessary to receive an annual dose to get more protection“.
The person in charge emphasized, Influenza vaccination must be received promptlyideally before the beginning of winter, which is the most severe stage of influenza virus spread. However, he stressed that given the national, regional and local epidemiological situation and “due to the dynamics of virus transmission,” influenza vaccination will continue for the remainder of the year.
Depending on dosage availability, The campaign will begin at all vaccination health centers and public hospitals across the province and will be free and mandatoryfor a defined target group.
Target population
In detail, Target population Influenza vaccination status is as follows:
- health personnel.
- Pregnant women: With every pregnancy and any trimester: With every pregnancy, you must receive influenza and covid-19 vaccines in any trimester, acellular triple bacterial vaccine (DTPA) starting in the 20th week of pregnancy, and Respiratory Syncytial Vaccine Viral vaccination is given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
- Postpartum group: If not vaccinated during pregnancy, until discharge from the maternity hospital – up to 10 days.
- Boys and girls 6 to 24 months: Give two doses if not vaccinated before.
- People between 2 and 64 years old with risk factors: Documentation of pre-existing medical conditions, including risk factors.
- People 65 and older.
- Strategic personnel whose performance is critical to maintaining essential functions (e.g., national security forces).
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Flu vaccine at drug store
On the other hand, flu vaccines can be distributed in pharmacies through an agreement with a social work agency.In the city, planning Vaccination drive starts from the first day of April. “The vaccine will be coming to our province at the end of March and we can distribute it in pharmacies,” Adriana Cuello, treasurer of the First College of Pharmacists, explained to UNO.
In this case, it should be noted that each social work determines which are the target patients, what percentage of the costs they bear, and then vaccinates them.