Despite global efforts to overcome the pandemic, Covid-19the virus remains a threat in Peru. So far in 2024, the country has recorded 22,779 cumulative cases of SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the persistence of the virus in the daily lives of Peruvians.

This increase in cases coincides with a spike in severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Health, 3,754 cases of pneumonia have been reported across the country, exacerbating the pressure on the health system.

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Globally, the pandemic has diminished in intensity, thanks to the mass distribution of vaccines and the strengthening of prevention measures. However, a key question arises: Is Covid-19 still considered a pandemic?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) informed Peru21 The virus is no longer classified as a pandemic and has become an endemic disease. This means that, although it has stopped causing global crises, Covid-19 will continue to circulate regularly among the population, becoming part of everyday life.

Covid-19 vaccination in the country

Magdalena Quepuy Izarra, executive director of Immunizations at the Ministry of Health (Minsa), informed this media that, to date, 93,282,159 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in the country. The official stressed that, despite the decrease in cases compared to the beginning of the pandemic, vaccination has not stopped and continues to be active in all health facilities.

“Since 2021, when the Covid-19 vaccines arrived in the country, this vaccination has never stopped. Thousands of vaccination campaigns have been carried out throughout the country. Therefore, vaccination continues in all Minsa health facilities.”Quepuy said.

In addition, the director stressed that the Ministry is providing the monovalent vaccine, which does not require people to have previous coronavirus vaccinations in order to receive it. This advance seeks to facilitate access to immunization and maintain the protection of the population against possible new outbreaks of the virus.

Covid-19 vaccination at Minsa health centres. (Photo: GOB)

What is the relationship between Covid-19 and pneumonia?

With the drop in temperature in Lima and the arrival of frost in the central and southern areas of the country, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recorded a total of 19,884 cases of pneumonia in children under 5 years of age, which represents 16.92% less than in 2023. As for adults over 60 years of age, 26,193 episodes have been reported, of which 32.99% (8,641 hospitalized) have required hospitalization due to the severity of the symptoms.

Arequipa leads the figures for respiratory infections with 4,792 infections so far this year, in addition to a regrettable number of 249 deaths, including children and the elderly. In Junín, the situation is also worrying, with a total of 124 deaths, of which 93 are elderly people.

Relationship between Covid-19 and pneumonia. (Composition)

The presence of these respiratory symptoms has raised questions about whether the reported pneumonia is related to Covid-19. According to specialists, pneumonia related to the SARS-CoV-2 virus is of the viral type, appearing between the sixth and seventh day, or up to the tenth or twelfth day of the disease. Often, this pneumonia gives the impression that the patient is improving, when in reality the condition is worsening, but without showing obvious symptoms.

He also ruled out that the current cases of pneumonia are linked to Covid-19, explaining that these episodes are more related to influenza, both type A and type B, due to the high level of humidity that has been recorded in various regions of the country.

Other respiratory diseases that are present in Peru

In addition to COVID-19 and pneumonia, influenza is once again one of the main threats to public health in Peru. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported that up to epidemiological week 36 of this year, 3,754 cases of influenza have been reported, with a higher prevalence of the Influenza A (H3N2) strain.

According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health (Minsa), the groups most vulnerable to the disease include immunocompromised people, those with chronic diseases such as asthma, diabetes, and heart, lung, or kidney conditions. In addition, children under 3 years of age, pregnant women, and older adults are at greater risk of suffering serious complications from influenza.

Influenza in Peru. (Photo: Andina)

Influenza vaccination

The director of Immunizations of the Ministry of Health (Minsa), Magdalena Quepuy, highlighted the importance of vaccination during the current season, underlining the need to protect the most vulnerable groups from the threat of serious respiratory diseases. In particular, Quepuy called on the population to prioritize the immunization of children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, older adults and people with comorbidities such as hypertension and obesity.

“The vaccines are primarily targeted at these groups, as they face a higher risk of serious complications, including death,” the official explained. She added that children should receive two doses of the vaccine during their first year of life and continue to be vaccinated annually until age 5. Similarly, pregnant women, older adults and people with chronic diseases should be vaccinated every year to stay protected.

As part of the vaccination campaign, Quepuy reported that the State is administering the tetravalent vaccine, designed to protect against four strains of the influenza virus. The campaign, which began in May, aims to protect the population before the arrival of winter, when the risk of contagion and complications increases.

Quepuy also clarified that it is safe to receive the influenza, pneumococcus and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. “There is no contraindication to doing so, you might only experience pain in the injection area and a slight increase in temperature, which is a normal reaction.”said the director.

To facilitate access to vaccines, the website has been enabled www.yosimevacuno.comwhere people will be able to find more than 8,000 vaccination centers nationwide.

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