Sergas calls 14,552 children for vaccination via SMS, and only a few respond on the first day

Yesterday the vaccination campaign began a new phase with the start of immunization of children. A total of 14,552 children aged six to 59 months (5 years) were called by public health authorities for influenza virus vaccination. This is one fifth of the minors mentioned in all of Galicia. On the first day the response was low.

Of the twenty children who were called for vaccination at the A Doblada sanatorium during the morning shift – from 13:00 to 14:00 – less than half came. Perhaps the formula chosen for this call is the reason for such a low response. Saúde Pública has decided to convene the families of 14,552 children via SMS, and this meeting cannot be changed through the e-Saúde application. Yes, you can cancel, but there is no way to select a new date in the application. Galician Health Service (Sergas) encourages parents who could not or cannot go to “make an appointment at their health center.”

In 2022, Galicia became a pioneer in including children aged 6 months to 5 years in the target groups of this vaccine. Last year the average coverage was 55.78, although Vigo came in last place with a response of 51.93%, along with Ourense (48.94%).

Yesterday’s news was administration of intranasal vaccine for children from two to five years old. The idea is that adherence is improved “by simplifying administration.” Nurse Victoria Lopez Covelo explains that it consists of two doses, one in each nostril.

Other groups

“It might be better because it reduces the pain of the puncture,” muses Fatima Fernandez, Nicolas Alonso’s mother, who is on the fence about this new method because she is still months away from turning two. . For the second year now, he has been going to get vaccinated so as not to deprive him of the protection that immunization provides. “Autumn came and started with snot, and besides, he goes to kindergarten,” he explains.

Yesterday, the action was also extended to minors with risk pathologies and people immobilized at home, as well as to their main caregiver.

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