Basque health minister warns flu ‘getting stronger than last year’

The vaccination campaign began six weeks ago. Since then, about 400,000 people have been vaccinated against flu and another 285,000 against coronavirus. That’s according to Health Minister Alberto Martinez, who stresses the importance of getting these doses because with the flu “getting stronger than last year, we must not let our guard down.” “The first cases have already appeared in our community.” You can make an appointment for vaccination through the Osakidetz website or by calling the clinic.

The risk groups for whom flu vaccination is indicated are the same as in previous years: people over 60 years of age, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, people living in nursing homes and health care workers, social care workers and carers. All of them are also indicated for the Covid vaccine.

Osakide also pays special attention to strengthening the immunity of children against this virus. Last year, children aged 6 months to 5 years were vaccinated for the first time. And perhaps precisely because it was something new, a small number of parents made appointments to protect their children from this virus. Only 16% of this population received the serum. The health goal for this year is to reach 35%, and to achieve this, children will be offered the option of receiving an intranasal vaccine. The serum is administered by spraying into each nostril, avoiding puncture.

As such, Osakidetza hopes more families will encourage their children to be vaccinated against influenza, a highly contagious seasonal virus that, although mild in most cases, causes severe symptoms and hospitalization for some people in particular. those who are vulnerable and deaths.

Children are also carriers of transmission of this pathogen to people who are with them, such as parents and grandparents. Therefore, this year, kindergarten and preschool workers were also included in the priority groups to be vaccinated due to exposure to children.