a new strain of covid that worries scientists

At the height of the season of maximum spread of the virus, the Ministry of Health introduced a new vaccination campaign COVID-19 And flu. The promotion will run until January 2025, but it is recommended to make an appointment as early as possible. A new strain The coronavirus has created panic among the scientific community, but the current vaccine can cover it up.

Rapid spread of the strain HEC caused an immediate response from health and scientific authorities. Total 1115 cases around the world. Its spread began in Germany but has spread throughout Europe, North America and Asia. Experts emphasize that the new strain could become dominant in the coming months. Angela Dominguezthe vaccination coordinator of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE), explains the reasons for its expansion: “A new strain always has more opportunities to spread through the population because it has circulated little and, so to speak, has the freest terrain.” .

recombination caused the emergence of a new strain: “It’s not that the strain mutated, so to speak, but rather that two strains combined and formed a new one,” Dominguez says. XEC is a descendant of OMICRON and is currently being monitored by specialists trying to stop its spread. symptoms These are very similar to the symptoms of Covid-19: fever, muscle pain, cough and respiratory infections.

There is no need to panic at the moment as the vaccine presented by the Ministry of Health also covers the new strain. The campaign presented by the Minister of Health, Monica Garcia, They will be vaccinated against Covid and flu at the same time. The government’s goal is vaccination 75% elderly people, medical staff already 60% population at risk, according to WHO recommendations. Vaccination is especially recommended for people over 60 years of age, people in institutions, chronically ill people, pregnant women, medical personnel, children under five years of age and people with diseases that can cause complications, such as diabetes.

According to the Ministry of Health, hospitalization rates increased significantly last season due to the serious spread of influenza. People over 60 years of age were hit the hardest. For this reason, special attention is paid to speedy vaccination. Given the difficulties of the past year, the Public Health Commission is working on a document establishing general criteria carry out a general assessment of respiratory infections for all autonomous communities. Thus, the goal is to study the epidemiological situation for this type of infection, establish risk scenarios and investigate these scenarios to develop specific health recommendations.

In some localities, such as Madrid, vaccination has already begun and, although there is a supply for many months, it is advisable make an appointment as soon as possible at the nearest medical center.