Vaccination against influenza begins in the Canary Islands - La Provincia
"Vaccines have saved millions of lives and it is fundamental today." This was stated yesterday by Aristides de Fez, user of the Health Center of Alcaravaneras and one of the early risers to get vaccinated on this first day of the vaccination campaign against flu, which has started in all the health centers of Canary Islands.
De Fez Marrero, 80, says he gets vaccinated every year "because doctors recommend it to people who are over 60 years old", although he believes that anyone should be vaccinated, regardless of age and groups of people. risk.
The prevention of influenza is based mainly on vaccination, which aims to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with influenza and the impact of the disease in the community. The vaccine is recommended for people over 60 years of age and their caregivers, pregnant women, chronically ill people of any age and their caregivers, health professionals and other professionals who are fundamental to the community.
People who belong to a risk group can request an appointment to be vaccinated by calling the Citizen Information Service at 012, 922239301 and 928219030
This campaign will use two vaccines, a quadrivalent vaccine aimed at all people under 65 years of age included in the risk groups, and another trivalent vaccine aimed at people aged 65 or older and an institutionalized elderly population with a higher risk of complications. associated
The CHealth Department, through the General Directorate of Public Health, has purchased for the campaign this year a total of 222,000 doses of influenza vaccine, for an amount of 1,117,860 euros
The protective immune response after vaccination is variable and, overall, it ranges between 70 and 90% of those vaccinated. In addition, it is characterized by its safety, low cost and accessibility.
In relation to the date chosen this year for the start of vaccination, next October 29, the agreement of the Public Health Commission of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System is followed, in which it was established to start the campaign from of the third week of the month of October.
It is considered that it is the period that guarantees an adequate supply of vaccine, optimizes the effectiveness of the campaign and allows adapting both to the epidemiological pattern of presentation of the infection and to the peculiarities of the health organization in each geographical area.
