Dr. Iris Cardona, chief medical officer of the Department of Health, invites citizens to vaccination events, which will begin on November 4, given the rise in influenza cases sustained over the past eleven weeks.
The events are scheduled at the Plaza las Américas shopping centers (November 4, 24, 25 and 26), San Patricio Plaza and Plaza del Caribe (November 17 and 18), Laguna Garden Shopping Center (November 17) and Mayagüez Mall , Montehiedra and Las Catalinas (November 18).
Influenza vaccines are free of cost and are recommended for people 6 months and older. The Department of Health urgently calls on families to participate in one of these events or visit their nearest vaccination center, Vaccines for Children Program vaccination provider or pharmacy.
For Dr. Cardona, the goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible before the Christmas festivities, “in this way we will protect children and the people who interact with them, especially those who are at greater risk of complications and death, such as adults. over 60 years of age and people with chronic conditions,” he pointed out.
To locate a vaccination center visit www.salud.pr.gov/influenzaor call 787-522-3985.
Furthermore, to counteract this increase, the government agency has implemented a plan that addresses early detection, surveillance, prevention and treatment. Both in schools and shopping centers, among other places.
“We have a collaboration agreement with the Department of Education to carry out vaccination activities in public schools. We will start with those located in regions with the highest incidence and we will move to the rest of the schools,” said Cardona, highlighting that more than 50% of the reported cases belong to children under 19 years of age. In addition to vaccinations in schools, vaccination events will also be held in shopping centers during the month of November.
Puerto Rico is at a high level of influenza, according to the respiratory disease activity monitoring system of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition to vaccination, you are encouraged to follow prevention measures such as staying home if you are sick, frequent hand washing, disinfecting frequently used items and surfaces, avoiding contact with sick people, and wearing a mask.
2023-11-03 22:23:36
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