Children’s flu vaccination campaign starts weaker than expected

«Anti-influenza action is weaker than last year. Maybe it’s because we started early and it wasn’t too cold yet. The heat has been a frustrating factor. As temperatures drop, demand increases», Amós García Rojas, head of the Epidemiology and Prevention Services of the General Directorate of Public Health of the Government of the Canary Islands yesterday, explained the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign that started on October 16 .

“manage COVID-19 vaccination situation similar to last year. Compliance with the influenza vaccine has decreased,” the epidemiologist stressed during a speech at an event promoted by the Official Faculty of Pharmacists, Dentists and Nursing to encourage the population and health professionals to protect themselves against Coronavirus and influenza.

Minors spreading virus to grandparents

Regarding the inclusion of healthy minors in vaccination campaigns, Garcia acknowledged that it was “lazier than we thought.”To encourage fathers and mothers to vaccinate their children, the Ministry of Health will launch a communications strategy to Promote the idea that influenza vaccination is necessary for children.

“For the vast majority of healthy children, influenza is not a serious health problem unless they are in a high-risk group. But it must be clarified Flu cases can be very annoying for children and their families, so it makes sense to avoid them.», Garcia said, adding that no adult likes to see a minor with a fever of 39 or 40 degrees.

Additionally, he reviewed the role of boys and girls as spreaders of disease. «Minors are the main spreaders of the problem They spread the flu to adults, especially those they spend the most time with: grandparents», experts said, emphasizing that vaccination of children helps break the chain of influenza transmission.

Dentists, nurses and pharmacists encourage self-stabbing

Headquarters official college of pharmacists Las Palmas held an event to vaccinate the presidents of professional groups. «These activities try avoid infection and in this way avoid death Fight pranks “People are more concerned about the number of ‘likes’ than the health of other people,” said Loreto Gómez, spokesman for the pharmacists in Las Palmas.

Rita Mendoza, dean of the School of Nursing in Las Palmas, insists that vulnerable groups and people with symptoms, especially health professionals, need to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus and influenza.

“We have to bet on something safe that we know will protect us and break the chains of transmission. Health professionals do not want to be vectors of transmission and pharmacies must be safe places.“, he pointed out.

Francisco Cabrera, Director of the Official College of Dentistry of Las Palmas, said, Don’t underestimate the consequences of the flu Because we are used to living with this virus.

Syncytial virus immunity is well received

of this activity Infant Syncytial Virus Immunization Amos Garcia, head of the epidemiology and prevention department of the Canary Islands government, said the epidemic in the Canary Islands is “progressing very well.”

Neonatal treatment coverage exceeds 90% Among children under six months old, the proportion is also “very high”, reaching about 60%.

The campaign to protect babies from bronchiolitis starts on 5 October.

management Gene therapy It continues until March in two settings; hospitals for immunization of newborns and health centers for treatment of children up to six months old.