The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs of the Government of Andalusia said that the walk-in influenza vaccination campaign launched on December 11 was a success and has protected 292,302 Andalusians from the virus, an increase of 104.2%. The record was on the same date as the last vaccination campaign in 2022-2023, when 143,143 people were vaccinated.
Since December 11, the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs has stepped up its vaccination campaign, arranging walk-in flu vaccination days for adults and children, and stepped up efforts to educate the population about the benefits of vaccination to prevent influenza and Covid -19. Specifically, the last week when vaccinations by appointment were available daily, there was a 30% increase in vaccinations compared to the same week in 2023.
Currently, 1,768,479 doses of influenza vaccine and 1,118,881 doses of anti-Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Andalusia. In terms of childhood influenza vaccination, 126,714 children have been vaccinated, with a coverage rate of 44.4%. For people over 60, flu coverage is 57.3% and Covid-19 coverage is 41.3% (65% of people over 65 have had a flu vaccine). For those aged 85 and over, 75.3% had received a flu vaccine and 57.4% had received a Covid-19 vaccine. Finally, 90.6% of people in nursing homes had received the flu vaccine and 84.9% had received the Covid-19 vaccine.
In this sense, the Ministry of Health appreciates, on the one hand, the responsibility assumed by Andalusians to protect their health in response to the call of the health authorities, and on the other hand, the work done by the professionals of the health centres. It is possible that this campaign will unfold completely normally and without any setbacks. Likewise, they remember that vaccines are the most effective and safest tool to avoid serious illness and hospitalization.
Likewise, they stressed that Andalusians still have time to get vaccinated against influenza and Covid-19. “From the moment we receive the vaccine, our defenses are activated. In the last campaign we recorded a peak in mid-February, so we invite Andalusians to get vaccinated. They still have time.” Given The Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs has therefore extended the walk-in vaccinations at all vaccination sites in Andalusia for another week.
According to provisional influenza vaccination coverage data provided by the Ministry of Health as of January 18, Andalusia is above the national average. Regarding the influenza vaccination rate among minors aged 6 to 59 months, Spain averages 35.2%, while Andalusia reaches 44%, behind Murcia (50.2) and Galicia (51,6). In terms of vaccination rate for people over 65 years old, the national average is 63%, and the Andalusian average is 64.7%, ranking eighth.
The Department of Health and Consumer Affairs emphasizes the importance of protecting yourself from acute respiratory infections. Precisely, the incidence of these viruses per 100,000 inhabitants in Andalusia increased this week compared to the previous week, from 459 to 621 cases. There has also been an increase nationwide, from 923 cases to 926.6. “These data mean we must still remain vigilant about respiratory viruses. Therefore, we maintain that vaccination is the best tool to combat them.”
Health, on the other hand, emphasizes immunization against respiratory syncytial virus, the leading cause of bronchiolitis. Since the campaign started in September, coverage has exceeded 90%, and the number of people hospitalized with the virus in Andalusia has dropped by 78% this year. Therefore, they also encourage parents and guardians of children under six months of age and newborns to vaccinate their children against this virus.
A campaign of information and advice launched by the 061 Health Emergency Center on how people should cope with influenza, influenza A or Covid-19 has received more than 7,600 calls, with a thousand people needing help after listening to the speeches. Andalusian citizens will be able to learn how to act in the event of a respiratory infection, receiving advice on dealing with the most common symptoms through the telephone number 955 545 060 and the Salud Responde app.