In Galicia this year, almost 40% of children under 5 years of age have already been vaccinated against influenza.

There are still two months left until the end of the current vaccination campaign, and the Galician Health Service (Sergas) has already achieved immunize about 40% of children under five years of age against influenzawith the goal of reaching 60% in the next two months.

This was discussed in detail today by the Minister of Health, Antonio García Caamaño, in the Galician Parliament, where he emphasized that the Community thus continues to lead in this area thanks to its campaigns aimed at increasing population coverage. children and guarantee protection against respiratory diseases.

The head of the Ministry of Health emphasized Xunta’s readiness to constantly introduce new vaccines to expand prevention. noting that 41 million euros will be allocated in 2024, an increase of 3% on the previous year.

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Among the innovative immunization initiatives, the advisor highlighted vaccination campaigns against respiratory syncytial virus and human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as the introduction of intranasal influenza vaccine for children 2 to 5 years of age, measures that increase acceptability and effectiveness by stimulating immunity nasal mucosa.

Progress in childhood immunization

Regarding the respiratory syncytial virus, for which the vaccination campaign began on September 23, Caamaño said they have already been immunized. 7260 boys and girls, which is about 90% of those born this season..

This vaccine, which is 82% effective in preventing hospitalizations, has proven to be a key resource in reducing the impact of serious respiratory infections in children. The council member also recalled that families who did not go to hospitals can now vaccinate their children at health centers.

Regarding the flu vaccination of boys and girls aged 6 months to 5 years, Caamaño stressed that Galicia was a pioneer in including this vaccine in its 2022-2023 calendar and then achieved a coverage of 54.76%, higher than in other communities such as Andalusia and Murcia.

In the current campaign, Galicia continues to be a leader in immunization, benefiting this year from intranasal vaccine for children from 2 to 5 years oldwhich promises to improve perception and stimulate increased local immunity against the virus.

Expanded strategy for vaccination against human papillomavirus

Since 2008, Galicia has been vaccinating the female population against HPV, and in September 2022 extended this protection to younger men.as a measure to prevent concomitant cancer diseases.

This year, Xunta began a specific vaccination strategy. 27,000 children born between 2006 and 2009.moving towards a two-pronged approach to fighting the virus. In addition, based on scientific evidence, Xunta has adopted a single-dose vaccination schedule for boys and girls, which has been shown to be highly effective and is expected to improve coverage.

Regarding coverage among 12-year-old girls

Caamaño stressed that this figure is about 100%, while in men, although slightly lower, an increase is expected with the single-dose regimen. The adviser also said that protection against the virus will be expanded from next year. HPV in men under 21 years of agethus reaffirming Xunta de Galicia’s commitment to prevention and youth health.

In conclusion, Caamaño thanked Galician families for their participation in the vaccination campaigns, whose support has played an important role in making Galicia a benchmark for immunization and child protection throughout Spain.