Public health board agrees to start flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaigns in last week of September

The Public Health Council, representing all autonomous regions and the Ministry of Health, updated the criteria for the next influenza and Covid-19 vaccination campaign and determined that the campaign will start last week in different CCAA periods between September and October. Furthermore, in the new document “Recommendations for Seasonal Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination in Spain 2023-2024”, the target group includes people from “health institutions”, such as those working in pharmacies. Likewise, at the meeting held this Tuesday, the evolution of the epidemiological situation was analyzed. As a result, they noted that in recent weeks, “a slight increase, which is stabilizing, has been detected.” The incidence rate in primary health centers is approximately 130 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, 3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants require hospitalization. On the other hand, the vaccine presentation recalled the recommendation approved in July for the use of monoclonal Nirsevimab against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the 2023-2024 season. It is therefore urged to vaccinate babies as soon as possible, “if possible in October”, and to put measures in place to monitor the impact. Finally, the Ministry of Health reports on monitoring conducted by the Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) this summer. Mainly from the botulism outbreak, 13 cases have been recorded in June and July. On the other hand, they stressed that this shows that surveillance efforts for vector-borne diseases “have intensified”; and demonstrates the utility of mosquito alert platforms. In this regard, they remember that five human cases of Nile virus infection were discovered in Spain this year.