Badajoz

The Extremadura Health Service (SES) has called for vaccination against flu and against covid-19, when the incidence of acute respiratory diseases continues to rise, since the percentage of vaccination in people over 60 years of age is at 53.95% and 40%, respectively, below what was desired, according to the data provided to EFE.

The objectives for this 2023-2024 campaign are to achieve or exceed 75% vaccination coverage against flu and covid-19 in those over 60 years of age and in health and social health personnel, as well as exceed 60% in pregnant women and in people with risk conditions below that age threshold. This was approved by the Public Health Commission on September 12, 2023, in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the European Commission.

The autonomous communities are preparing to receive the peak of respiratory diseases, whose incidence rose last week to 908 cases per hundred thousand inhabitants in Spain as a whole and 724.4 in Extremadura, which seven days before was 589. 2, according to data from the Carlos III Health Institute.

Admissions for severe acute respiratory diseases have risen in the last week to 28.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in Extremadura, compared to 24.4 the previous week.

Due to the increase in incidence, the spokesperson for the Satse nursing union in Extremadura, Gonzalo Gallego, has requested a reinforcement of nursing staff both in Primary Care and in hospitals.

Gallego has stated that according to what emergency professionals reported this Wednesday, “at some moments they are absolutely overwhelmed.”

“If it is already necessary to reinforce the workforce under normal conditions, in order to adapt to ordinary situations, in the face of a surge in demand for care it is even more necessary,” he insisted.

This situation occurs when “staff are even more overloaded,” which is why according to Gallego “it is not enough to just open more beds, but also to enable the necessary professionals to care for them.”

On the other hand, as reported by the SES to EFE, the emergency services of Extremadura hospitals are carrying out antigen tests on all patients who arrive with symptoms of acute respiratory infection, and also on those who come with other symptoms at the discretion of doctors. .

In this context, the Ministry of Health, in agreement with the Ministry of Health, recommends preventive measures to avoid the spread of these infections, such as hand hygiene, covering the nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing and wearing a mask in case of present symptoms compatible with a respiratory infection. Additionally, it is advisable to use disposable tissues to contain respiratory droplets or secretions.

After using tissues, they should be disposed of in the nearest trash bag, and it is essential to wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol gel regularly, especially after coming into contact with respiratory secretions.

Finally, it is urged to follow the vaccination guidelines against respiratory microorganisms and to avoid, as far as possible, going to the workplace if you present symptoms of illness.

The Ministry of Health continues to call on citizens to get vaccinated and increase the vaccination rate, since it is “below what is desired.”

The Satse spokesperson has also considered prevention “fundamental” to avoid the rapid spread of the virus and, in this sense, has advocated the use of a mask, especially when in contact with vulnerable people. In his opinion, awareness campaigns are essential.

2024-01-03 15:32:49
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