The vaccination campaign against influenza and COVID-19 will start simultaneously in nursing homes next Monday, the 9th, with the aim of protecting users and staff. Starting from the 16th, senior citizens over the age of 80, as well as health workers and other health service professionals, will also begin to receive immunizations at health centers. Starting from the 30th, people aged 60 to 80 years old, as well as patients with chronic diseases and pregnant women will be added. Most novelly, smokers are also listed as a risk group for vaccination this season, albeit only against the flu. The decision was made by consensus across regional committees and is being implemented in all communities. Smokers are at greater risk for complications and repeated respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.
The Minister of Health, Juan José Pedreño, this Friday outlined the schedule of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign, which begins virtually on September 25 in educational centers with intranasal influenza vaccine to protect children up to 3 years old and children aged 4 years. Children aged 6 months to 3 years will receive the flu vaccine starting next Monday, the 9th. To do this, parents must make an appointment.
The health department has procured 391,000 doses of influenza vaccine for this vaccination campaign, of which 35,000 doses provide immunity boosting and will therefore be given to seniors above the age of 80 years. There are also 330,000 doses of the unadjuvanted vaccine for other groups, and 27,000 doses of the intranasal vaccine for children 2 to 4 years old.
Regarding the coronavirus vaccine, Salud has a new Pfizer formulation suitable for the Ómicron circulating subvariant. Total investment in the event amounts to 2.3 million euros. The Health Minister highlighted the advantages of vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 at the same time, which offers greater convenience to patients, eliminating the need for two visits to health centers and improves coverage.
Last quarter, flu vaccine vaccination rates among people over 60 reached 61%, while COVID-19 vaccine vaccination rates remained at 53%. Pedreño recalled on Friday that the complications and mortality rates of COVID-19 and influenza are similar, so the elderly and those at high risk must protect themselves.
People over the age of 60 will be able to book a vaccination online or by phone through the Murcia Health Services “App”. Patients under the age of 60 who are in risk groups, such as those with chronic conditions and smokers, must request an appointment in person at the health center as the tab will not be enabled for them on the website or “app.” ‘murciasalud.es’.
Starting in December, influenza vaccination will be open to all residents of the Murcia region, even if they do not have risk factors. In light of the scientific evidence, Health does not include general recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination. On the other hand, starting from October 30, caregivers of the elderly or those in high-risk groups will be able to receive the vaccine.
The Department of Health reminds people who were born in 1958 and those with risk factors for immunosuppression to go to their health centers to receive the shingles vaccine.
50% of babies under 6 months are protected against bronchiolitis
Salud has been giving nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that protects against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), to infants under six months of age since September 25 last year. Newborns will be immunized at maternity hospitals before being discharged, while newborns born since April 1 will be immunized at health centers. The first balance of the campaign is positive, as announced this Friday by Health Minister Juan José Pedreño. 3,041 infants have been treated with nirsevimab, representing 50% of the target population.