Influenza in Peru: Which groups are prioritized for vaccination and how many doses should they receive? | Influenza A(H3N2) | Minsa | NMR | LIME

Influenza is a very common viral infection that increases in colder times like the one recorded to date in the country. Currently, outbreaks of influenza A(H3N2) are reported in Peru for which the Ministry of Health (Sometimes) has been promoting a campaign so that the vulnerable population receives the vaccine against this virus.

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María Elena Martínez, head of Immunizations at Minsa, explained that the health sector’s strategy is to vaccinate vulnerable groups because the effects of the influenza they are more serious in them.

Along these lines, the official clarified that the Influenza vaccine It should be applied to people with comorbidities, children under 3 years of age and adults over 60 years of age.

Group prioritized to be vaccinated against influenza

Next, we explain who gets vaccinated against influenza and how many doses they should receive:

• Kids What are children under 1 year old? two doses are appliedat 6 months and at 7 months.
• Children from 1 to 3 years receive a single dose.
• Infants after 3 years onwards It is indicated for people who have some comorbidity, it is applied a single dose.
• People over 60 years of age, people with asthma, those who are obese, who have heart disease or a respiratory problem deserves that they also have to be placed a dose of the vaccine against the influence.

During the arrival of brigades house by house and at the vaccination center against COVID-19, the health teams indicated that the Adults can also take the dose against influenza, but they would have to go to a post or health center to be inoculated against this virus. They stressed that the prioritized groups are minors and older adults.

Influenza Vaccine Arrival

The Minsa reported that Peru acquired a total of 5.6 million doses of influenza vaccine for adultswhich are delivered regularly for immediate distribution, through the Executing Units throughout the country.

He specified that these doses are added to the 2 million 195,000 doses of pediatric vaccines against this disease, which have already been delivered by Cenares to all regions of the country, so that all establishments have stock to immunize the child population.

The Minsa called on the population to go to the vaccination centers to complete their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine because it is necessary to be protected since the pandemic is not over yet. In addition, at these inoculation points they are applying influenza vaccines.

How is the flu spread?

the virus of influenza spreads through droplets produced when coughing, sneezing, laughing, singing or talking. These small droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.

The influenza also shrinks when contaminate their hands by covering their mouth or nose and then touching a surface or object, or another person’s hand

What are the symptoms of infection or contagion?

The symptoms of influenza They usually appear with sudden onset fever, cough and/or sore throat, which may also be accompanied by muscle pain, headache, malaise.

Therefore, it must go to a health facility to be evaluated by a doctor and receive appropriate treatment.

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