A new double shield for the most vulnerable. The Ministry of Health will launch the vaccination campaign against coronavirus and influenza next Monday, October 2, starting with nursing homes and extending to other designated groups throughout the month.
Not wanting to wait any longer, the regional health authorities decided to expect an increase in the spread of the main seasonal viruses (common influenza and SARS) as the widespread vaccination system is launched on the first working day of October. -CoV-2, still shows signs of its adverse effects on vulnerable populations.
From July 1 to September 24, the total number of confirmed cases was 1,042, compared with 77 cases last week and 137 cases the week before. “In our data last week, which ended on September 24, we observed a slight decrease compared to previous data, although the possible impact of the celebrations in San Mateo was certainly true,” said Public Health Director Eva Martin. Eva Martínez Ochoa admitted yesterday in a statement to daily La Rioja newspaper that it had not yet been “observed”.
Seven people, all elderly, have died from COVID-19 since July, and there have been six outbreaks in social and health centres.Last week, 12 people with the virus were hospitalized, with an average age of 84.
The total number of people admitted to hospital over the summer was 112, 12 of whom were admitted in the past week, with an average age of 84. “Hospital admissions are steadily declining, which is important, although we still don’t know what will happen because once the number of cases increases, hospitalizations will take longer,” Martínez Ochoa said. No coronavirus patients have been admitted to the ICU over the summer since the last coronavirus patient was admitted on June 12, and the service has been “clean” since July 9.
Among the 112 patients admitted in the summer, 95 (84.82%) were patients over 70 years old.
In addition, there were six COVID-19 outbreaks in social and health centers last quarter and seven people died in the area, all of whom were elderly and had pre-existing conditions. As of 2023, the death toll from COVID-19 has reached 21, and the total number of deaths due to Sars-CoV-2 and its complications has reached 983. Last summer, between July 1 and September 30, the death toll was 22.
With this X-ray and waiting for the flu virus to occur, everything health-wise is now ready to begin the new vaccine protection process immediately. Therefore, next Monday the program will start and all people admitted to nursing homes will be able to receive both doses.
A week later, starting from Monday 9 October, the campaign will take place in health centers for people aged over 85 years.
necessary reinforcement
The process will finally be completed on Monday, October 16, when the seasonal vaccination campaign will be expanded to the entire designated target group: all people over 60 years old, but a special call is made for those over 80 years old; the remaining people in shelters; 60 People under 10 years old with chronic diseases such as diabetes, morbid obesity, cardiovascular and neurological diseases; All pregnant women; People living with immunosuppressed patients (transplant recipients, cancer patients…); Health and social care professionals and key personnel (National security forces and agencies, firefighters…).
“Of course the recommendation is to get vaccinated, and for high-risk groups or vulnerable groups, the sooner the better,” said Eva Martínez Ochoa. She emphasized the effectiveness of the vaccine but added that As time goes by, this becomes more and more obvious. “With reduced immunity, it’s important to boost yourself with new doses. ” Regarding influenza, the province of La Rioja has provided approximately 100,000 doses of vaccine for the first campaign targeting children aged 6 to 59 months.