Vaccination campaign against influenza
focuses on four groups

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Social Security confirms that this year its influenza vaccination program will focus on four groups, children, workers in contact with immigrants, pregnant women, and heart disease patients.

The campaign against influenza A and B viruses started on Monday and extends until July 22. This year, in addition to children, the campaign will include people who work in areas with high migratory populations such as airports and border posts, pregnant women and patients with heart disease, according to the technical recommendation of the National Vaccine Commission.

"This is one of the largest immunization days against influenza that has been made in the national territory and which is expected to exceed the goal of coverage of the previous year that reached 92 percent," said Social Security in its statement.

Historically the period of circulation of respiratory viruses has been in the second half of the year, but this year the specialists have observed an increase in cases in the last weeks of May and June.

Dr. Román Macaya Hayes, executive president of Social Security confirmed that this year it is estimated that they will vaccinate 1.3 million people, with a total cost of the campaign of $ 6.7 million.

Social Security patients or members that are part of the following groups can request for free vaccination:

- All children over six months of age and under six years of age, even if the parents are or not members of Social Security.

- All elder adults (65+).

- Women in any month of pregnancy.

- People over six years and under 60 with some risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory diseases, cancer, obese people, chronic kidney disease, immuno-suppressed people, with cirrhosis, with hemo-globinopathies, immunological diseases, and neurological problems, among others.

Doctors remind parents that the vaccine is part of the basic programed childhood vaccination, so it is mandatory that they take the children to be vaccinated at any Social Security clinic.

The same vaccine that is being used in Social Security, against influenza A and B viruses, can be requested in private clinics in the country.

Dr. Olga Arguedas, director of the National Children's Hospital confirmed the death of two children due to influenza A

According to the hospital report, the deceased are a 12-year-old girl with asthma and a baby less than one-year-old.

"That's why the recommendation is the vaccine because the influenza virus can be deadly," said Dr. Arguedas.

Due to hospital protocols, the names of the children were not disclosed.

 

 

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