Cuenca Launches Annual Flu & COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign,Prioritizing Vulnerable Groups
Cuenca’s health authorities are urging residents to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 as the annual vaccination campaign gets underway. This year’s initiative focuses on protecting high-risk individuals and expanding vaccination access to those around them.
The campaign prioritizes vaccination for pregnant women in any trimester, women within six months postpartum who haven’t been vaccinated during pregnancy, and individuals who may transmit the flu to vulnerable populations. Individuals aged 60-65 will receive a reinforced, adjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine to maximize immune response. Additionally, cohabitants and primary caregivers of children under six months, and also staff at childcare centers and pharmacies, are now included in the target population.
Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, recommendations are currently limited to individuals with risk factors for severe disease, including pregnant women, those 70 years and older, residents of nursing homes and disability centers, those in closed institutions, and individuals with pre-existing conditions that increase thier risk of complications.
Health officials are employing proactive outreach strategies this year, utilizing individualized messages through the regional health service (SESCAM) and collaborating with other ministries to reach specific groups.The goal is to actively encourage vaccination within the target populations.
“Protect yourself and help us protect others,” emphasized a health delegate, highlighting the collective responsibility in preventing the spread of illness.
Begoña Fernández, Director of Care Continuity and Management Quality, underscored the importance of vaccinating healthcare professionals. “Along with protecting against the flu, it helps us protect our most vulnerable patients,” she stated. The Occupational Risk Prevention Service will offer vaccinations to all interested professionals without prior appointment at both the Virgen de la Luz Hospital and the Cuenca University Hospital (October 17th & 24th in the Extractions area). Starting November 5th, vaccinations will be available at the service’s new location on floor 0 of Building ”E” at the cuenca University Hospital.
Residents can schedule vaccination appointments with their primary care center nurse or via the health app. Nursing professionals will continue to play a vital role in actively identifying and reaching out to at-risk groups, promoting the vaccine as a key tool in combating disease.
Last year, nearly 39,000 flu vaccines were administered in the Cuenca health area.This year, over 40,000 doses are available, with the potential for further increases if needed. Vaccination coverage among individuals over 60 reached over 90% (administered and offered), with a vaccination percentage exceeding 65%. Childhood vaccination coverage reached 38.73%, with 1,624 children between 6 and 59 months receiving the vaccine.
All vaccines used will be trivalent, protecting against three types of influenza viruses, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
