Valencia (EP). The Ministry of Health will start influenza virus immunization starting next Monday, December 4, for people between 18 and 59 years of age who request it (as long as there are no contraindications) and for smokers under 60 years of age.
With this measure, “the aim is not only to prevent infection in all those who decide to receive a dose of a vaccine against the virus, but also to protect the most vulnerable people, who may suffer complications due to their personal circumstances and belong to a vulnerable group.” As stated. As the department reported in a statement, “targeting one of the risk groups” Marciano Gomez.
In this sense, a total of 824,857 vaccine doses have been administered to people in priority risk groups since the start of the campaign on October 16. By province, 423,597 people have been vaccinated in Valencia, 308,417 in Alicante and 92,843 in Castellon, an increase of 6 compared to the same period last year. %.
More than 65% of total doses (538,550) were administered to people over 64 years of age, a coverage rate of 51%. Medical staff have received 47,281 doses of vaccine, and 26,742 residents of medical centers have been vaccinated, with coverage rates of 57.65% and 79.02% respectively.
Immunization of children under five years of age (6 to 59 months) without risk pathology is one of the new features of the 2023-2024 seasonal campaign, with 40,180 doses of vaccine administered so far. Specifically, 15,101 doses of the vaccine have been administered to infants aged six months to two years, and 25,079 doses of the intranasal vaccine have been administered to boys and girls aged two to four years.
According to the health department, minors are the main spreaders of the flu if they have it, and they are a source of infection to the elderly (their grandparents), who are another priority group, which is why both boys and girls Reasons to Get Vaccinated For those under five years old, as well as seniors, “It is critical to avoid getting the flu this fall and winter.”
arrival of cold
Experts say the temperatures recorded in recent weeks have led people to minimize the presence of these respiratory viruses, which could have “serious” consequences for those at risk. Therefore, considering that the cold is coming, they recommend that both high-risk groups who have not yet been vaccinated and the general population who can be vaccinated from December 4 request to make an appointment.
Regarding covid-19 vaccinations, 582,955 doses have been administered. By province: Castellón 63,886, Alicante 220,684, Valencia 298,385.
Of the total number of vaccinations by risk group, 523,485 were vaccinated for people over 60 years of age and 32,388 doses were administered to health and/or social hygiene workers. People who have recently been infected with Covid-19 must wait the recommended time for vaccination, which is three months.
The main goal of this campaign, launched on October 16 in the Valencian community, is to reduce morbidity and mortality from influenza and covid-19, especially among vulnerable groups.
The risk groups defined in the current campaign are: senior center and functionally diverse residents, health and social care staff, people aged 60 or over (not 65 or over), people under 60 with risk medical conditions, Pregnant women. This year, healthy boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months or those under 14 with dangerous medical conditions, as well as smokers under 60, are also included in the flu shot.