Reopening of Vaccination Point in Zona Franca for Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccines

With the presence of municipal authorities and the Health Sector, together with representatives of Zonaustral and IST, the reopening of the vaccination point was given on the first floor of the central module of this commercial area, in the boulevard sector. The foregoing, within the framework of the vaccination campaign against Influenza and Covid-19 called “Vacúnate con la Dupla”.

In this way, in coordination between Seremi de Salud, the Cormupa Health Area and the Magallanes Health Service, a new space will be provided for the community, bringing this process closer to Magellan families. A measure that has the support of the Zonaustral Management by facilitating this space and the IST that has provided nursing and medical assistance.

This vaccination point will work from Monday to Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will serve the various audiences of these Campaigns, however, boys and girls will only be inoculated with influenza and from 3 years of age, prioritizing the care of minors that age in their check-ups in the health centers.

The SEREMI of Health, Francisca Sanfuentes, pointed out that “today we could see that the weather is getting colder, in addition, viral circulation has increased with a greater number of consultations in emergency services in children under 15 years of age and also in older people . In addition, the influenza virus has risen in recent weeks, which is why we are reinforcing the call to people to attend the different vaccination points.

He argued that, according to epidemiological surveillance, in March the rhinovirus predominated over other respiratory diseases, instead, currently the circulation of influenza A represents 40% of the present pathologies. He added that: “We know that a very difficult winter is ahead, so it is essential that we all have our vaccinations up to date and protect ourselves in a timely manner.”

Reinforcing the importance of vaccination processes to prevent respiratory diseases, the director(s) of the Magallanes Health Service, Ricardo Contreras, commented that, from the Service in coordination with SEREMI of Health and Primary Care, an additional effort is made to increase coverage and bring these processes closer to people; “This is how the Health Service, through agreements signed by primary health care reinforcement programs (PRAPS) with the municipalities of the region, have incorporated in the order of 150 million pesos, resources that allow Precisely keeping a vaccination point like this in the Zona Franca working, which is intended to better provide vaccination spaces for the entire community, guaranteeing their timely access, ”said the authority.

The mayor of Punta Arenas, Claudio Radonich, expressed that “we are quickly going from autumn to winter, which represents an increase in diseases, remembering that influenza is a very serious pathology, especially for older adults, that is why it is called to attend to get vaccinated and to take care of each other “.

Vanessa Simunovic, Business and Marketing Assistant Manager at Zonaustral, pointed out that “as Sociedad Rentas Inmobiliarias, current concessionaire of the Punta Arenas Free Trade Zone, we feel happy and proud to be an active entity in increasing the quality of life of the community, which our users during their journey take advantage of this new point to vaccinate “, he narrowed down.

Meanwhile, the Austral Zonal Manager of IST, Pamela Muñoz, highlighted that since before the Pandemic Mutual has permanently supported the Anti-Influenza Vaccination Campaign, visiting the different affiliated companies and also through the infirmary that is It is located on the second floor of the central module of ZonAustral, which has a nurse and a paramedic.

Influenza is a highly contagious disease, which is transmitted by air, by speaking, coughing or sneezing, which can cause serious cases that require hospitalization. When a person is vaccinated, they protect themselves, but they also protect their family and those around them. At the regional level, the target group to be vaccinated against influenza this year is 98,631 people. Regional vaccination coverage against influenza as of April 17 is 26.69%.

At this point, people can also be vaccinated against Covid-19 through the bivalent vaccine, which has as its target audience all people over 50 years of age and other prioritized groups, including people with chronic diseases, disabilities severe and deep, people from public services and essential services. Coverage of this vaccine in Magallanes as of April 17 is 24.67%.

Both vaccines are incorporated into the National Immunization Program (PNI), as a State policy that ensures universal and free access to this protection.