61.2% of people in Huelva over the age of 65 have already been vaccinated against the flu or, which is the same, about 55,000 are protected from this respiratory virus. These are, therefore, lower figures than last year, given that in early December, coverage of the vaccine had already risen to 66%, exceeding 58,000 in Huelva.
At this point, it should be noted that the current percentage is even slightly lower than that of 2020, the year in which 65% of over-65s had already been vaccinated at the beginning of December, but higher than 2019 (49.60%)when a total of 41,603 doses were placed in this sector of the population.
The least successful 2022-23 influenza vaccination campaign in the elderly population can be explained by the high impact it had in times of pandemic. The more aggressive picture that the Covid-19 had in 2020 and 2021 has led many people of Huelva to get vaccinated against both respiratory infections with the aim of strengthening their protection.
“As we have warned, respiratory viruses, such as RSV and influenza, have advanced and are already circulating in Andalusia. As temperatures drop, the incidence is increasing. It is important that anyone over 65 years of agechildren between 6 and 59 months, as well as the rest of the vulnerable groups – pregnant women, chronically ill or with immunosuppression, health and social-health personnel – are protected with the flu vaccine “, assures the Ministry of Health and Consumption.
In the case of the childhood flu vaccine, for children aged 6 to 59 months -4 years and 11 months-, the percentage is around 30%. The flu vaccine for children is the main novelty that the Ministry of Health and Consumption has introduced, through the General Directorate of Public Health and Pharmaceutical Regulation, in the 2022-23 campaign.
It is worth noting the such an important role that children play in the transmission of the flu virus to the rest of the populationtransmission to the most vulnerable population is always of greatest concern. The child population is the age group that always has a higher incidence of flu, having had fewer contacts with the virus. The flu vaccine for children is particularly relevant in this campaign after two seasons with the important social distancing and personal protection measures that the population has followed, above all, the use of masks.
That said, the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) has set up several points in the province of Huelva to get vaccinated against the flu without having made an appointment; This is intended to facilitate access to the population most at risk of contracting it. and increase coverage.
In the case of the Health Districts of Huelva, these points are located in the 19 health centers in its area of influence that carry out ordinary afternoon activities (from 15:00 to 20:00) and are specifically intended for children aged between 6 and 59 months and young people with chronic pathologies aged between 5 and 18 years . These are the health centers of: Aljaraque, Ayamonte, Cartaya, the 7 of the capital -Adoratrices, Molino de la Vega, El Torrejón, Isla Chica, Huelva-Centro, La Orden and Los Rosales-, Isla Cristina, Lepe, Punta Umbría , Almonte, Bollullos Par del Condado, Moguer, Palos de la Frontera, Gibraleón and La Palma del Condado.
For its part, in the North Health Area, vaccination without an appointment is available in the morning (from 8:00 to 15:00) in the centers of its six Basic Health Zones (ZBS) –Aracena, Calañas, Cortegana, Cumbres Mayores, Minas de Riotinto and Valverde del Camino-being able to benefit both children and the rest of the young and adult population for which the flu vaccine is indicated.
Influenza and Covid campaign
The flu vaccination campaign and reminder doses for this fall 2022 began on October 3, when people in residential centers for the elderly and centers for the disabled began receiving the flu and covid vaccine. Even the population over 80 years old and staff and students of health and social health center practices, residences and disability centers.
On October 17, the turn to receive the flu and covid vaccine for people aged 65 to 79 began, as well as those aged between 5 and 64 with chronic conditions, pregnant women, dependent adults and their caregivers. On this date, the infant population between 6 and 59 months started receiving only the flu vaccine.
On October 24, it was people aged 60-64 who started vaccination against covid. From this date, groups of professionals, such as law enforcement and organizations, began to be vaccinated against the flu. In the case of prisons, it began with covid.
As of December 2022and depending on the availability of doses, those who live at home with people aged 65 or over or people at risk will be vaccinated against flu and covid.
In addition to these access points, people included in vaccination groups can request scheduled appointments through the usual channelssuch as the ClicSalud+ website, the Andalusian health app and Salud Responde, by phone via Salud Responde or by contacting your health center.
