Residential vaccination kicks off flu campaign

The vaccination campaign against influenza and covid-19 began yesterday, in addition to medical personnel, it also vaccinates people in shelter institutions, especially in San Antonio, San Antonio de Padua, Hogar de San José, Novi Chiado and La Fuen Special residential area. Health care is divided into urban and rural health centers. The first vaccination will last until October 31st and the second vaccination will last until October 11th. Yesterday, activities for people with reduced mobility also started. For those who are housed, their vaccinations are administered by health professionals from the health regions, who come to these facilities to receive both vaccines. Their presence will be used to vaccinate the professionals working there.

On October 11, vaccination will begin for high-risk groups and people living together, as well as for the general population (60 years and older), and appointments must be made through the usual channels: Sacyl Conecta app, phone number of the vaccination center. Castile and Leon Health Portal.

For people under 65 years old, quadrivalent vaccines will be used, which contain two A strains of the virus and as many B strains as possible, in order to increase the likelihood that the vaccine will match the wild strain. Since the response to vaccination gradually decreases with age, a quadrivalent vaccine with enhanced immunogenicity will be used starting from the age of 65 years.

Children 6 to 59 months old. The main novelty is the vaccination of children from 6 to 59 months old, which will be carried out using two types of vaccines: inactivated injectable vaccine between 6 and 23 months and 24 to 59 months (2, 3 and 4 Attenuated intranasal vaccine administered as a single dose to healthy children (including first-time vaccinated children). For at-risk groups of children, the first vaccination will continue with two doses, with a minimum interval of four weeks between doses.

One of the reasons why some European countries have introduced vaccines in children is the high frequency and severity of influenza. According to data obtained by the Influenza Surveillance System, in some seasons the infection is even more common in children under 5 years old than in people 65 or older, who have been targeted for influenza vaccination for many years. The effectiveness of the influenza vaccine against confirmed infection ranges from 44% to 75%. Effectiveness in preventing severe cases requiring hospitalization was higher, between 53% and 83%, and was even better in younger children.

In addition, smokers have been added to the list of risk groups for flu vaccination for the first time.

The vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to 59 months started yesterday and appointments are required.