Flu vaccination expected to see more than one-third of Segovians vaccinated

The fight against the flu begins earlier than in previous years. In 2022, the vaccination schedule starts on October 17, while it was postponed to October 26 the previous year. As of today, dozens of people have been vaccinated in the province of Segovia, as inoculations for the general population began only a week ago, although there are currently no queues at clinics waiting for shots.

The health care administration hopes to achieve immunization of at least 30% of Segovia’s population. As a result, a total of 53,707 doses of vaccine were procured, the lowest provincial figure in the region after Soria. The target is to exceed the percentage of the previous campaign, when the number of people vaccinated reached 28.96% of health cards, or 44,546 people.

That’s a slight decrease from 2021, when 46,398 residents were vaccinated, or 30.1 per cent of the province. This decline was observed in several age groups, but importantly, among those aged 60 to 64 years, and especially those aged 65 to 69 years, the “number of people vaccinated and their percentage” maintained or increased,” reported the Commission’s delegation to the territory of Segovia.

age and occupation

César Montarelo, head of the regional health service in Segovia, explained that the immunization rates by age range in the province are “very similar” to those registered in other parts of the autonomous community. Last season, vaccination rates were about 11% for people 59 and younger; 42% for those 60 to 64 years old; and 61% for those 65 and 69 years old. The increase was particularly seen among those aged 70 to 74, who were 73% more protected from the flu; and those 75 and older, who were 75% and older, at more than 82%.

For health professionals, vaccination proportion will increase by 5 percentage points in 2022 to nearly 61%. The majority of workers protected against influenza are concentrated in the health emergencies sector at 79%; followed by hospital care at 62%; and finally primary care at 56%.

New doses will be obtained taking these data and trends into consideration. As evidenced by the fact that the health department has allocated nearly 7,000 fewer doses of vaccine to Segovia than two years ago, when combined vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal and coronavirus were offered. However, new developments in the immune process can also serve as a reference. For example, in the current campaign, influenza prevention is open to children under 56 months of age, and smokers are encouraged to heed the call to prevent complications from this respiratory infection.

No puncture

If all the vaccines obtained this year are vaccinated, the immunity rate among Segovians will reach more than 34%. But not all of them are of the same type, instead there are five different modes. The first holds 22,008 quadrivalent inactivated injections. They are preferably suitable for use in the healthy general population between 6 and 23 months and between 60 and 64 years of age, as well as persons belonging to risk groups.

The second corresponds to the majority of the vaccines obtained – 27,000 – which are quadrivalent inactivated adjuvant and will be administered to Segovians aged 65 and above. In turn, there are 2,904 quadrivalent inactivated units with high antigenic load for people over 60 years of age living in residential buildings or highly dependent at home.

For the first time, 1,780 doses of the quadrivalent attenuated vaccine will be given to children aged 24 to 59 months as an intranasal injection, thus avoiding the need for punctures. Finally, a total of 15 vaccines are reserved for users who are allergic to antibiotics.

Vaccination appointments can be requested through the Sacyl Conecta mobile app, by calling the health center or on the health portal. This approach is particularly recommended for people over 60 years of age, prisoners in disability centers or residences, at-risk people under 60 years of age, pregnant women, cohabitants, healthcare workers and people working in essential public services, including civil protection volunteers. .

However, this time the advice applies to children six months and above, smokers, students doing internships in health centres, staff in educational centers and workers in livestock farms.