The first punctures of the campaign against flu and Covid

The Castile-La Mancha Health Service (Sescam) launched a vaccination campaign last Friday to prevent the emergence of cases of influenza and Covid-19, especially among the most vulnerable groups of people. At the same time, elderly people and children turned to the Santa Barbara medical office, and patients began to be seen early in the morning. In addition, medical workers will also receive the vaccine, as they work with people who are at risk of infection.

The day of injections went smoothly and orderly, there was no collapse at the Santa Barbara Medical Center, and each patient expressed their gratitude to the patient who gave them the appropriate dose.

Thus, one of those vaccinated on Friday was Josefa, 78 years old, originally from Villagarcia de Arosa (Pontevedra), although she has lived in Toledo for “many years” with her husband from Toledo, after meeting him in Germany, the country where he emigrated to “find life.”

The first punctures of the campaign against flu and Covid

Josefa emphasized that she has been receiving the flu vaccine for 7 years and recommended that people get it “because it works and, at best, you get a mild cold.”

As nurse Manuel Riquelme administered the dose to her left arm, on which she had a red rose tattooed, the patient said it scared her and did not hurt her. For his part, Riquelme advised Josepha to catch a cold if she had a skin reaction.

Another patient who came to the Santa Barbara Medical Center was 69-year-old Jose Luis Gonzalez, who receives flu and Covid-19 vaccinations every year.

The first punctures of the campaign against flu and Covid “I wear both, I don’t like being poked, but I’m at risk,” Gonzalez explained, recommending “everyone wear this.” He also added that he has not had any viral problems since the vaccination.

Likewise, a couple of elderly people who “had Covid-19 15 days ago” entered Nurse Riquelme’s office. It was about Santiago and Jose Luis, who, as they admitted, do everything together, “we are like ‘PiniPon’.” For this reason, Riquelme cared for both of them at the same time, while they sat on the same stretcher. In this situation, they were only given a flu dose.

For his part, Santiaga said he is taking the vaccine to avoid problems. “I tend to infect something in the bronchi,” said the patient.

Medical workers. On the day of the vaccination, nurse Manuel Riquelme also visited several colleagues from her sector, such as Cristina Carballo, who works as a nursing assistant at the University Hospital of Toledo.

Cristina Carballo said it is “very important” that health care workers get vaccinated “because they come into contact with vulnerable people.”

Likewise, Santa Barbara Family Medical Center resident Celia Molero received her first flu vaccine. “I urge the entire population to get vaccinated to avoid many serious health problems,” added the Familia resident.

The Ministry of Health hopes that this campaign will reach 75 percent of people over 60 years of age, as well as 60 percent of pregnant women and risk groups.

This year, the regional executive invested five million euros in the campaign against influenza and three million in the campaign against respiratory syncytial virus, with funding for Covid vaccines provided by the Ministry of Health. Every year, Castile-La Mancha allocates a total of 39 million euros for vaccines.

Sescam will have half a million doses of flu vaccine and 31,000 intranasal vaccines for children under five, doses that will make it easier for the youngest to administer the vaccine.

Health authorities recommend administering the two vaccines at the same time. Citizens will be able to choose whether they want both doses or just one.