Cape Verde has begun vaccinating people over the age of 65 and those at risk (such as patients with diabetes, malignant tumors, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, obesity, etc.) against influenza.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Health, the annual vaccination drive will be conducted throughout the month of November, opening all primary care health facilities and central hospitals, with the aim of reducing mortality and minimizing complications caused by influenza.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global influenza control strategy for 2019-2030.
The goal is to protect people from this threat. The new strategy aims to prevent seasonal influenza, control the spread of influenza in humans and prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
“The threat of pandemic influenza is always present,” the ministry quoted WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as saying.
Influenza remains one of the world’s two major public health challenges. It is estimated that there are billions of cases each year, including two to three to five thousand severe cases, resulting in 290,000 to 650,000 deaths from influenza-related respiratory illnesses.
Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends annual influenza vaccination as the most effective way to prevent influenza.
The Cabo administration purchased 5,000 doses of flu vaccine worth $23,000 through the 2022 state statute.