The flu and Covid vaccination campaign will begin on Monday.
The flu and covid vaccination campaign will begin next Monday, October 21st. This was announced this Friday at a press conference by the Minister of Social Policy and Health, Randa Mohamed. The period will last until December 20.
This initiative aims too protect vulnerable populations from complications caused by of these respiratory diseases, especially when both infections continue to circulate widely.
One of the key aspects mentioned by the consultant was identifying the highest risk groups who should be vaccinated as a priority. flu. In this sense, the campaign calls the following population groups:
- People 60 years and older.
- Women pregnantregardless of the trimester of pregnancy.
- Medical staff and social health.
- People with chronic diseases.
- Civil service employees special forces such as police, fire and civil protection services.
- Prison workers kindergartens and preschool education centers.
Moreover, he specifically mentions children from 6 months to 59 months (5 years). From 24 to 59 months of age, they will receive an intranasal vaccine to avoid needles.
At the same time, public health has a particular impact on influenza vaccination in the population. children aged 6 to 59 months because of large number of hospitalizationsdoctor visits and antibiotic use in this population, and the serious complications this disease can cause, including respiratory problems such as bronchial obstruction, pneumonia, and acute otitis media.
Among the main new products, Mohamed highlighted the inclusion teachers of preschool education centers and kindergartens as a priority group for flu vaccination.
Pneumococcus
In addition to the flu and COVID-19 vaccines, the advisor also stressed the need for people over 65 to be vaccinated with the vaccine. 20 conjugate vaccine against pneumococcuswhich prevents up to 30% of cases of pneumonia and is prescribed once throughout life.
This type of vaccine is especially recommended for those who are in closed settings and have not received it in previous years.
Vaccine distribution
In terms of distribution logistics, the autonomous city has acquired 3 types of vaccines with an estimated cost of 150,000 euros.
These include 10,200 doses of Vaxigrip quadrivalent vaccine, 2,000 doses of adjuvanted quadrivalent vaccine for immunocompromised people and 1,500 doses of intranasal vaccine for children.
These vaccines will be distributed at the request of centers such as the pharmacy service of the Directorate of Primary Health Care, which will subsequently distribute them among health centers, the pharmacy service of the regional hospital, military clinic, Penitentiary Center, Relief Center, Government Delegation Health Functional Zone, Autonomous City ( police and firefighters), national police, civil guard, immigration detention center or insurance companies, as well as other premises.
During the press conference, frequently asked questions from the population were also touched upon. One of the most frequently repeated questions was “If this is possible.” Get vaccinated against flu and Covid at the same time. According to Mohamed, available scientific evidence shows that there is no no contraindications when both vaccines are administered simultaneously and that there are no significant differences in local or systemic adverse reactions.
They can also be given at the same time as other vaccines, such as pneumococcal vaccines.
On the other hand, regarding the possibility of getting vaccinated if you do not belong to one of these risk groups, the Minister of Health clarified that this will not be possible given the current epidemiological situation.
Finally, he encourages all groups targeted for vaccination to do so and asks them to be aware that it not only protects those who receive it, but also prevents the spread of influenza to the people around them. He also wanted to emphasize that the campaign is aimed primarily at medical workers.