The first immunization campaign against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in infants has just started this Monday in three public hospitals in Ourense, Velin and Valdeoras, and is targeting children living in Ourense, Velin and Valdeuras. Two more of the 6,000 seniors in Aulas are on the new Lifelong Immunization Program. Influenza and coronavirus, the latter being included in the seasonal calendar for the first time.
RSV is a virus very common in children and adults that infects the lungs and respiratory system, causing cold-like symptoms. Most of the time they are mild attacks, but in infants, premature babies, or children with weakened immune systems, they can cause serious infections that lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Today, syncytial virus is the most common cause of hospitalization for infants or two young children.
To protect the most vulnerable people from RSV, “Nirsevimab” is used because it is an antibody that provides a rapid and direct response to severe disease caused by RSV. Second, there are two types of flu vaccines. The four-price package is available for everyone under 80 years of age, while the high-load package is available for those over 80 years old and nursing home users aged 60 or above. Likewise, new vaccines against covid-19 are single-dose and work against circulating strains.
An additional 700 babies and two swims were added during the event
To carry out the RSV immunization campaign, the Ministry of Health is considering three options: From now on, all newly vaccinated children will be vaccinated before discharge from hospital. Therefore, within the first 24 to 48 hours of life, all babies born in the hospitals of Ourense, Virin and Valdeoras will be vaccinated throughout the vaccination campaign scheduled for March 31.
Similarly, 63 high-risk children (such as congenital heart disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, etc.) and premature infants born from October 1, 2022 will be summoned to Ourense University Hospital, or March, September 27, next year Additionally, one dose is given during the first season and another during the second season, always when the child is under 24 months of age.
The third scenario will start on Monday 2 October, and babies born from 1 April 2023 will be called to reference hospitals to receive doses. According to Public Health Agency estimates, our health sector will quote 634 boys and girls in this data.
From October 2 to 11, 549 boys and girls will be called to the University Hospital, where they will receive treatment in the innovative classroom on the 0th floor of the new inpatient building. Likewise, from 2 to 10 October, 46 infants were summoned to the library of the Valdeorras public hospital and 39 infants were summoned to Verín for pediatric consultation.
Countries and peoples will start receiving information from the Galician Health Service via text message from today to make an appointment to vaccinate their children, just like they do for the coronavirus vaccination campaign or to book consultations or tests.
COVID-19 campaign
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign will begin in a sequential manner to prioritize the two groups most at risk. Therefore, people living in care and disability centers will travel from home to their centers to receive the vaccine.
In addition, primary care services will administer flu and covid-19 vaccinations to seniors aged 80 and older at county headquarters and proactively call them via text message. Likewise, people with reduced mobility who belong to the target group will be vaccinated at home.
Throughout October, the large central vaccination sites at Expourense and at the hospitals of Verín and Valdeorras will be activated again for combined influenza and covid-19 vaccinations for people under 80 years of age, who will be proactively called up by text message.