Concerns about low vaccination rates among at-risk groups

About two weeks ago, on September 23, the Ministry of Health began a vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid. At this initial stage, priority is given to people over 80, people receiving home care and pregnant women. The behavior of the flu virus in the southern hemisphere could predict a harsh winter in Spain, and immunization rates, which were very low last winter, are worrying health authorities.

The first ones are the most vulnerable, and this year there will be no advertising due to changes in the leadership and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health. In silence, without the media, the simultaneous vaccination against influenza and covid began among vulnerable groups that may suffer from the most serious forms of these infections, and in almost a thousand households in Catalonia.

Experts believe that the weather factor is at play this year; last year the cold came for a long time

At this point in the season a year ago, then Health Minister Manel Balcells announced a goal of immunizing 75% of vulnerable people. “The aim is to vaccinate as many people as possible, and across the health and social care system as they provide care,” he said. The lighting was far from desired. After the horror of the pandemic and the enormous vaccine discipline it has spurred, the staff have relaxed and largely decided to go without the jab.

Authorities and health workers are concerned that relief in the campaign will continue when vaccinations are projected to begin around October 14 for the remaining susceptible groups: people over 60 and people with risk conditions (chronic health problems and obesity). ), pregnant women, immunosuppressed people, health and social care workers, smokers and – against influenza only – children aged 6 to 59 months. Farm workers are included in the recommendations this year due to an increase in bird flu cases.

“We are concerned about the low level of vaccination data, so we will launch a campaign in the press, television, radio, posters, etc. d. We will try to reach as many people as possible so that they are vaccinated,” say Salyut sources. Last season, the agency invested almost 29 million euros in flu vaccines and antibodies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is responsible for 80% of cases of hospital-acquired bronchiolitis.

As of January 9, coverage was significantly lower than expected: 66% against influenza and 59% against covid in people over 80; 53% against flu and 45% against covid in the group from 70 to 79 years old. This is in a high-intensity health care environment, with more than 5,000 emergencies occurring daily in primary care settings and more than 10,000 in hospitals. “Hospitalization rates have increased, especially among the population over 65,” Salyut reported, with experts citing low immunization rates to explain the strong increase in health care pressures. In fact, within three weeks of Epiphany, Catalonia reinstated the mandatory use of masks in health centers and recommended them for high-risk patients in nursing homes.

The goal is to avoid a collapse of primary care and hospital emergency care.

Jordi Mestres, a member of the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine, understands that this year the weather factor may play in favor of increasing immunization rates: “Last year the cold did not come immediately and the vaccination campaign started early, so people did it. do not create a winter vaccine association. This year we feel like it’s already autumn here.” On the other hand, Dr. Mestres believes that the health system must be proactive: “look for risk groups, create lists in CAP, call or send messages. “We don’t have to wait for them to come.”

The forecasts are not very promising. The southern hemisphere flu season, from which WHO health officials use circulating strains as a reference to guide vaccination recommendations in our hemisphere, has been a busy one, with infections reported in countries such as Australia. National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance director Frank Bird warned of a 2% to 3% drop in flu coverage compared to last year and a 10% drop from 2022.

When your beards neighbour from the south you see the peeling… The Australian flu season isn’t necessarily repeating itself exactly here, but it gives clues to what might be coming: flu continues to sweep away covid. In this context, health authorities consider it extremely important to raise awareness among the target population about the need for vaccination.

As explained Vanguard According to the Spanish Society of Vaccinology, the impact of respiratory infections on the health system will depend on: “1) the behavior (clinical and epidemiological) of the circulating subvariants JN.1, KP.2, KP.3 and KP. 3.1.1 and the subtypes of influenza A and B viruses that will circulate in the 2024/2025 season; 2) the achieved vaccination coverage against both diseases, especially among vulnerable populations, and 3) the effectiveness of the Covid and seasonal influenza vaccines.”

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Josep Fita