Health centers in Teruel and Aragon have started vaccinating people over the age of 85 against influenza and covid-19. Different target groups will be gradually included and can make appointments through Salud Informa. Health workers are calling for participation in the campaign because these viruses are not currently present due to the high temperatures at this time, which results in people not being as sensitive as in other seasons.
The oldest people are among the most loyal vaccine recipients, and starting Monday, people aged 85 or older who live at home can now make an appointment to receive two doses of the flu vaccine, after completing in-residence immunizations and COVID vaccines. 19. Subsequently, the agenda will be opened to lower the age range to 60 years and then immunize those under that age who have risk factors.
Only the flu vaccine is also still open to children aged 6 to 59 months (under five years old), which is a novelty for this event compared to previous events.
“Because we’re still in summer weather, we’re not seeing a lot of cases, which is kind of paralyzing for people, whether it’s children or adults. “We’re used to the first day being full and busy and it’s been pretty calm. ” said Nuria Esteban, director of primary care nursing in the Teruel region, who called on the population to get vaccinated because the flu is expected to be very virulent this season.
“When the Ministerial Conference on Vaccination was held and what was happening in the other hemisphere was observed, an invasive form of influenza was discovered with a high incidence in children, and the trend seemed to be this,” explained the health official who influenced the meeting, “We Must be prevented” and “Now is the time” and emphasize that they are safe and effective drugs.
Dual immunization against influenza and coronavirus is recommended for people aged 60 and older, up from 65 last season. Esteban noted that coronavirus immunization is recommended in this age group because they are the “most vulnerable,” or those most at risk of developing the disease.
Also included are people living in residential or closed institutions, pregnant women, people under 60 with at-risk conditions, and people living with highly immunosuppressed patients.
Likewise, vaccination is recommended for staff in health and social care centers and for workers in essential public services. Regarding health care, Fuin admitted that it has also started slowly, with coverage below 50%, but explained that in this case it was carried out throughout the vaccination campaign.
The Director of Primary Care Nursing explained that the covid-19 vaccines to be administered at the event already contain the Omicrom variant currently in circulation.
influenza in children
Regarding influenza, Nuria Esteban recalls that one of the main novelties was the vaccination of children, since in the Southern Hemisphere children were one of the groups most affected by the disease. Children 24 to 59 months of age receive the dose intranasally, and children 6 to 23 months of age receive the dose by injection.
Likewise, another group included in flu vaccinations are smokers. In addition, long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid is recommended for people aged 5 to 18 years; for students doing internships in health and social hygiene centers and for professional people with direct contact with animals (such as veterinarians or farm workers).
Residential
As with previous campaigns, vaccinations began in residential settings. The process, which started on October 2, is now complete and has broad coverage among users of these medical centers.
“The experience has been positive, there has been a lot of cooperation from both professionals and hospital patients, and the fact is that the coverage is good,” said Nuria Esteban, stressing that in addition, no serious side effects have been reported Record..
It is planned to distribute 394,000 doses of influenza vaccine in Aragon. The Ministry of Health has made great efforts to provide drugs suitable for each immune group according to its characteristics. For those aged 24 to 59 months, AstraZeneca’s Fluenz Tetra vaccine (live attenuated vaccine, suspension nasal spray), 14,000 doses. Viatris (from egg culture) has 135,000 doses of Influvac Tetra for people under 65 years of age. 195,000 doses of Flucelvax Tetra from Sequirus (Cell Culture) have been purchased for people aged 65 to 84 years. Users aged 85 and older and those in nursing homes are receiving 50,000 doses of Sanofi’s Efluelda vaccine (high antigen load).
It is recommended that people aged 60 and above receive two vaccinations.
Public health authorities recommend combined immunization against COVID-19 and influenza for people 60 years and older; minors in this age group with dangerous diseases (diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, immunocompromised); pregnant and postpartum women and those with immunization The person who inhibits the patient lives with.
Children and smokers included in flu campaign target groups
The main developments in this year’s influenza vaccination cohort are the inclusion of the pediatric population (6 to 59 months) and smokers. Students doing internships at health and social care centers and people with occupational exposure to animals are also only vaccinated against influenza.