Flu vaccination campaigns begin across the province today. The launch ceremony was initiated by the Minister of Public Health, Federico Mangione, at the Juan Domingo Peron Hospital in Tatagal and later at the San Vitoria del Este Hospital. Mangione was accompanied by Health Services Minister Martín Monerris and Social Medicine Undersecretary Gabriela Dorigato, as well as other health authorities.
In the city of Salta, the event took place at Health Center No. 60, located in the community of El Mirador del San Bernardo, chaired by Luciano Giasso, Undersecretary for Health Administration and Juan Pablo, Director of the First Level Care and Immunization Program People Adriana Jure.
· Starting today, the influenza vaccine is available in all hospitals, health centers and public vaccination centers and is free of charge to all people belonging to risk groups identified by the national Ministry of Health.
“Today we begin the province-wide flu vaccination campaign, and we launch this campaign in Tatagal because we want to decentralize operations, as requested by Governor Gustavo Saenz, so that we can spread the health Take it everywhere,” said Minister Federico Mangione.
Public health chiefs also highlighted the work of the entire health team, particularly vaccinators, which has allowed people to be vaccinated “before the flu breaks out”.
Mangione emphasized, “Vaccines are one of the most important tools to avoid diseases and save lives, which is why I ask people to get vaccinated and not to be afraid of vaccines, because vaccines are safe and will give them a better quality of life.” ” Life”.
2024 events
For the 2024 vaccination campaign, the province has received an initial shipment of 63,000 doses of vaccine from the national Ministry of Health, with 29,160 doses for children, 25,440 doses for adults and 8,400 doses recommended for people over 65 or with influenza . Basic illness.
The first batch of vaccines has been distributed to all operational areas for mass immunization through health agents in hospitals and health centers, health posts, vaccinations and in the homes of the rural population.
A total of 300,000 doses are expected to be administered, which will cover the target group of high-risk groups to whom the vaccine has been provided free of charge since it was included in the national vaccination calendar in 2011.
The importance of immunization
Influenza vaccination reduces complications in high-risk groups, thereby reducing the need for hospitalization, death, and sequelae from influenza virus infection.
Additionally, it helps limit the spread of the virus within the community and reduces the likelihood of infection.
Typically, flu vaccination campaigns begin in the fall with the goal of immunizing the population before winter, when the virus spreads more. While vaccinations continue throughout the year, as many people as possible are expected to be vaccinated in the first phase.
Free dose available for:
• health personnel
• Pregnant women, at any time during pregnancy
• Postpartum women, within 10 days after delivery
• Children 6 to 24 months old
• Over 65 years old
• People between 2 and 64 years of age with risk factors.
Consider risk factors:
• Respiratory Diseases
• heart disease
• Immunodeficiency
• HIV infection
• High doses of immunosuppressive drugs or corticosteroids
• Functional or anatomic asplenia
• Severe malnutrition
• Oncology, hematology and transplant patients
• Diabetics
• Chronic renal failure (CKD) patients who are receiving or requiring dialysis
• People who are obese or have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 (these do not require a doctor’s prescription)
• Severe delay in sexual maturation in children under 18 years of age
• Genetic syndromes, neuromuscular disorders with respiratory compromise and severe congenital malformations
• Chronic treatment with acetylsalicylic acid in children under 18 years of age
• Cohabitants or close contacts of patients with oncology and hematology diseases
• Cohabitants of premature infants weighing less than 1500 g.
Public security and armed forces personnel will also be able to receive the vaccine free of charge, subject to vaccine availability.
The flu vaccine can be given with other vaccines (including the COVID-19 vaccine) or at any time interval.
