The Ministry of Health has administered 1,15,727 doses of influenza vaccine since the start of the vaccination campaign last October 16. Likewise, 756,369 doses of vaccine against Covid-19 and more than 25,000 doses against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have been administered so far.
The Director-General of Public Health, Ruth Owusu, stressed the importance of vaccination against influenza and Covid-19 in the face of falling temperatures. He also explained, “We are facing a state of the rise of the annual epidemic wave of acute respiratory viruses since October, although the wave has not reached its peak, so it is important to vaccinate to prevent infection.”
For this reason, he stressed that “the vaccine is the best way to protect ourselves from these viruses and avoid possible complications. In addition, we must protect the people around us, especially in the case of vulnerable people or people suffering from chronic diseases.”
Indeed, as the Director General pointed out, “although more than a million doses of influenza vaccine have currently been administered in the Valencian Community, we must continue to vaccinate ourselves. Also for epidemiological reasons, that is, to control the trend of this current epidemiological curve and prevent a second one.” Possibly, which usually appears in February.
In this regard, the Director-General stated that, “Since last December 4, vaccination has become open to all residents, so that all people can request an appointment at the relevant health center for vaccination.”
Regarding influenza vaccination by province, of the total doses provided, 376,656 doses correspond to the Province of Alicante, 115,008 doses correspond to the Province of Castellón and 524,063 doses correspond to the Province of Valencia.
Likewise, regarding the vaccine against Covid-19, by province, 283,847 doses have been administered in the province of Alicante, 84,705 doses in Castellón and 387,817 in Valencia. This vaccine, provided by the Ministry of Health, was financed by the European Union, through the REACT-EU instrument of the Next Generation European Recovery Fund.
Finally, more than 25,000 doses of the vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus were administered in the Valencian Region. This vaccine is administered in health centers and hospital departments, and the coverage rate has currently exceeded 90%.
Influenza coverage by risk groups
Regarding coverage according to at-risk groups, it should be noted that the coverage rate achieved by the influenza vaccine among people vaccinated in social health centers is 89.04%.
On the other hand, in the category of people over 60 years of age, the coverage against influenza so far is 51.61% in people over 60 years of age, and in people over 70 years it rises to 67%.
Similarly, for health, social and health workers, influenza vaccination coverage is approximately 70%.
On the other hand, during this year, children between the ages of 6 and 59 months were included in the recommended group in the influenza vaccination campaign. In this way, so far 20,639 boys and girls aged 6 to 23 months have been vaccinated against influenza, achieving a coverage of 39.67%, and 34,146 minors aged 24 to 59 months, achieving a coverage of 29.6%.
Finally, the Director-General explained that “children are important transmitters of influenza and it is important to protect them so that they in turn protect their relatives, including parents, siblings and grandparents, on these days of family gatherings.” He pointed out that “vaccination allows control of influenza cases, especially serious cases.”
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