Castilla-La Mancha will start vaccinations against the 2023-2024 influenza vaccine on Thursday, October 19. The Ministry of Health has purchased 640,000 doses of vaccines and invested 7.6 million euros, including a new intranasal vaccine for children aged 24 to 59 months.
Children will receive intranasal vaccine
Laura Ruiz, General Manager of the Public Health Department, and Montserrat Hernández, General Manager of Care and Quality at Sescam, drove the process. Ruiz recalled that since the 2021-2022 season, influenza vaccination has been carried out simultaneously with the Covid-19 vaccination, and the purpose of vaccination against both viruses is to “increase the protection of the most vulnerable groups and health personnel” as well as society and health aims to reduce morbidity and mortality and the impact of these diseases on health and social care capacity. “
Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for those over 60 and those at high risk
Therefore, they recall that influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations are recommended for the 2023-2024 season to the following groups: people aged 60 years or older, persons aged 5 years or older in centers with disabilities. Residents of nursing homes and other long-term residents and closed institutions.
This medication is also recommended for people younger than 60 years who have the following risk conditions: diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome, morbid obesity, chronic cardiovascular, neurological, or respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome, hemoglobinopathies, and anemia or Friendly disease. Coagulation disorders and chronic bleeding disorders, as well as blood products and multiple transfusions, asplenia or severe splenic dysfunction, chronic liver disease, including chronic alcoholism, severe neuromuscular disease, immunosuppression, cancer and malignant hematological disorders, cerebrospinal fluid fistulas and Cochlear implants or waiting for one, Celiac disease, chronic inflammatory diseases, disorders and diseases that cause cognitive impairment: Down syndrome, dementia, and more.
Pregnant women should be vaccinated within any trimester
Likewise, pregnant women in any trimester of pregnancy and women in the postpartum period (those who are less than six months postpartum and who were not vaccinated during pregnancy) and people living with highly immunosuppressed persons, as well as staff in public and private health and social hygiene Centers and institutions (health and non-health), personnel engaged in essential public services, with special emphasis on groupings such as national security forces and corps, with national, regional or local dependency and the armed forces, firefighters and civil protection services.
In addition to the above, influenza vaccination is also recommended for children aged 6 to 59 months (under 5 years old) and for those aged 5 to 59 years who are at higher risk for complications from the flu. People aged 5-18 years receiving long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for possible Reye’s syndrome following influenza, as well as smokers, students on internships in health and social care centers and people in occupations with direct contact with animals or their secretions Poultry, swine or mink farms or operations or wildlife.
“Vaccines are the best tool to prevent serious disease”
The campaign aims to reach 75% of people over 60 years old and 60% of pregnant women and high-risk groups. To that end, we have 300,000 doses available for people aged 60 to 64 years, high-risk groups and children aged 6 to 23 months, 300,000 doses for people aged 65 and over, and 300,000 doses for children aged 24 to 59 months. 40,000 doses of intranasal vaccine.
Finally, the two Directors-General called on target groups to take responsibility, explaining that “vaccines are the best tool to prevent serious disease”.