Residents of Salamanca are “tired” of getting vaccinated against Covid: 30% less than a year ago

Balance of the first month of the vaccination campaign – influenza and covid – in Castile and Leon confirms that the population of Salamanca is still aware of the importance of protection against influenza, but on the other hand they are “tired” of continuing to receive covid vaccines.

It seems clear that the people of Salamanca (in fact this is a general trend in Castile and Leon) They have lost their fear of the coronavirus. and they no longer respond to calls for booster vaccinations, which they have already lost count of after four years.

Last year at this time, about a month into the campaign (data from 11/17/2023) for the general population, they were introduced in Salamanca. 51,261 covid vaccines. The balance sheet recently published by the Ministry of Health states “only” 35 461 punctures: a 30% less.

This decline in vaccination coverage is clear and boils down to the fact that, with the exception of care homes – both elderly and workers – the remaining groups are beginning to “experience” Covid.

Medical center employees vaccinated 40% less than last year. People with diseases considered a risk pathology in case of coronavirus infection also lost their fear and vaccinated 30% more than in the same period in 2023.

But even older people – the so-called risk group by age – are turning away from the Covid vaccine: 38% less. This case is especially striking because it is not that they decide not to get vaccinated, but that they make an appointment at their health centers, but they only ask for the flu vaccine, not the coronavirus vaccine. This is demonstrated by the fact that in one month, 55,458 people from Salamanca over 60 years of age were vaccinated against influenza: 2% more than last year, when 54,223 people were vaccinated.

The flu trend in Castile and León is slightly different, as coverage has dropped a few points since November 23rd.

Experts urge people not to be overconfident about the flu, as mention of winter in the southern hemisphere indicates a very difficult flu season.

Currently, the incidence of acute respiratory infections in Castile and Leon is low. The weekly report of the Ministry of Health of Castile and Leon, published on Tuesday, corresponding to the 44th week (from October 28 to November 3), shows a decrease in the incidence of acute respiratory diseases – 514 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

This figure is below the average of 600 cases (641 weeks ago) that has persisted since the start of the new season, and this decline is also repeated in cases of influenza (8 versus 16 a week ago) and Covid -19 (8 versus 16).

The low intensity of the epidemic is complemented by sporadic detections of influenza viruses SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, which are at a non-epidemic level; and rhinoviruses/enteroviruses continue to circulate among the observed population. The Ministry of Health found a slight increase in the number of hospital emergencies and hospitalizations due to respiratory infections, mainly among the elderly population. Emergency hospitalizations among children aged 5 to 14 years have increased in the past week.