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Chile’s Ministry of Health will begin its 2026 Vaccination and Immunization Campaign on Sunday, March 1st, proactively protecting at-risk populations against respiratory viruses. This marks the second consecutive year the government has advanced the campaign’s timeline, citing the benefits of early immunization.

Health officials are anticipating the circulation of the K subclade of influenza A (H3N2) this season. The Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP) confirmed the presence of this variant in Chile as early as December 18, 2025. The 2026 vaccine formulation is designed to offer increased protection against this specific strain.

This year’s campaign expands beyond influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to include reinforced access to COVID-19, pertussis (whooping cough), and pneumococcal vaccines. All vaccinations are offered free of charge.

Priority groups for vaccination include individuals aged 60 and over (for influenza) and 65 and over (for COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines). Healthcare workers in both public and private facilities are also prioritized. Individuals with chronic illnesses between the ages of 11 and 59, including those with diabetes, pulmonary diseases, cardiac conditions, and renal issues, are eligible. Pregnant individuals at any stage of pregnancy will receive influenza vaccines and the dTpa vaccine starting at 28 weeks of gestation. Infants and schoolchildren from six months of age through fifth grade are also included in the campaign.

workers in preschool and primary education up to eighth grade are eligible, as are newborns and infants born on or after October 1, 2025, who will receive RSV immunization. The Ministry of Health is particularly emphasizing the importance of RSV immunization for this youngest cohort.

The campaign offers over 1,200 vaccination points nationwide. Individuals can locate these sites on the MeVacuno.cl website or by calling Salud Responde at 600 360 77 77, a 24-hour hotline.

The 2025 campaign saw over 8 million people vaccinated, achieving a coverage rate of 78.76% of the target population. Officials reported a reduction in severe cases and fatalities from influenza and pneumonia compared to the previous year. The most significant impact was observed in the RSV immunization program for newborns and infants, with no deaths recorded in children under one year of age due to RSV during 2024 and 2025. Hospitalizations for respiratory causes in this age group also decreased substantially. Coverage reached 97% in newborns and 93% in infants during 2025.

“This year we have decided to advance the vaccination campaign, as we did in 2025, which gave us very good results, so that people are prepared and with high levels of antibodies when the highest circulation of winter viruses begins,” stated Minister of Health Ximena Aguilera. Aguilera also highlighted the role of the monoclonal antibody against RSV, stating, “One of the most relevant things we are most proud of in this government is having implemented the monoclonal antibody for the syncytial virus, which is applied in the maternity ward to newborns.” She urged all individuals born since October 2025 to receive the RSV monoclonal antibody immunization.

Bogotá health authorities are investigating a suspected case of measles in a traveler who recently arrived from Mexico, marking the first potential instance of the virus in Colombia in over a decade. The case, detected on February 20, 2026, is currently under laboratory analysis to confirm the diagnosis, according to officials.

The patient, an adult, exhibited symptoms upon arrival at El Dorado International Airport, prompting immediate testing. Initial PCR tests conducted at the Bogotá Public Health Laboratory indicated the presence of the virus on February 19 and the sample was subsequently sent to the National Institute of Health for validation, as reported by La FM and Infobae.

Gerson Bermont, Bogotá’s Secretary of Health, stated that the city’s rapid detection capabilities demonstrate the effectiveness of its surveillance system. “The study of this imported case demonstrates that Bogotá’s surveillance system works. We detected it promptly, isolated it immediately, and activated the epidemiological fence,” Bermont said, adding that there is currently no evidence of local transmission. El Colombiano reported that the Ministry of Health and the National Institute of Health confirmed the investigation on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

Authorities have initiated a comprehensive response, including the patient’s home isolation, continuous clinical monitoring, epidemiological field investigations, contact tracing, active community searches, and verification of vaccination coverage. Bogotá is the only territorial entity in Colombia with its own molecular diagnostic capacity for measles, according to Bermont.

The potential case comes amid increasing measles outbreaks in North America, particularly in Mexico, where a recent outbreak has resulted in 31 deaths, according to La FM. The Colombian Ministry of Health has urged citizens to ensure their vaccination schedules are up to date, noting that vaccine doses are available free of charge at over 3,000 locations nationwide. Portafolio reported that authorities are also advising increased caution for travelers destined for Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

The National Institute of Health is currently conducting further analysis and complementary tests to definitively establish the diagnosis in the coming days. Colombia was declared measles-free by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 24, 2014, and maintains a rigorous diagnostic algorithm based on clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory criteria before officially confirming a case.

Ministerio de Salud

Chile 2026 Vaccination Campaign: Dates, Eligible Groups & Key Updates

Colombia: First Suspected Measles Case in a Decade Raises Concerns