More than 1.5 million people in the Autonomous Community of Madrid have been vaccinated against influenza. This was stated by the Minister of Health, Fátima Matute. He reported the data today during a visit to the health center of Las Cortes in the capital. Matute thanked nursing professionals for their work in protecting people’s health in this initiative, as well as the technical staff of the General Directorate of Public Health.
Vaccination ends January 31
On January 31, the Madrid community concluded the seasonal influenza vaccination campaign that started on October 16. The coverage rate for seniors aged 65 and above is 69%, with a total of 844,441 people. 85,155 healthy children aged 6 months to 5 years received this preventive treatment, a first-of-its-kind measure in the region.
In addition, 1 million citizens, including 75% of Madrid’s population over 80 years old, have received intensive treatment against COVID-19, recommended for high-risk groups (most of which also include people with chronic diseases and social and health professionals).
Matut emphasized that this season “The impact of vaccination campaigns against influenza and other respiratory viruses has been clearly recognized. As a result, incidence rates are lower than in the pre-pandemic season, which logically has had an impact on overall reductions in cases and hospitalizations”.
RSV immunity
Regarding immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the Madrid public health system is a pioneer in causing bronchiolitis and has so far immunized 81% of the population since October 1 last year. The target is 36,227 children under six months of age and newborns (96% of babies delivered since October). This measure, which lasts until March 31 at the Niño Jesús public hospital and public and private maternity hospitals (for newborns), has resulted in a reduction of more than 50% in the number of cases and a 70% reduction in the number of cases. Children under one year old were admitted to the hospital.
Results of the Madrid Community Strategy
“These results are the result of measures that are part of the joint working strategy at all levels of care. It is supported by the pillars of vaccination prevention, epidemiological alert and medical resource planning and winter planning.”Matute said.
Despite the flu peak in the last week of last year, he recalled that the incidence rate was 181 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. “It’s already much lower than other seasons where it’s been over 300.” And it is currently 35.5, which is very close to falling below the epidemic threshold.
Coronavirus disease
Regarding COVID-19, the consultant said there are currently 11.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease of almost 62% from the previous week, and a 50% decrease in income. The second dose of vaccination is targeted at high-risk groups: people aged 60 years and above and people aged 12 to 59 years with medical conditions at public health centers and other authorized sites in the region.
winter plan
In order to cope with the spread of this typical disease, the Autonomous Community of Madrid has launched the measures planned for the winter, which include the employment of 1,800 professionals in hospital centers and the provision of 1,075 hospital beds according to nursing needs. Daily stress monitoring. Rapid referral lines to secondary inpatient and support hospitals have also been established.
Through daily monitoring, the first phase of measures was launched at the end of November. Subsequently, a surveillance was conducted in mid-to-late December based on monitoring of emergency services such as medical inpatient wards and intensive care units.