Risk Groups for Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Announced by Vaccination Commission

Pregnant women, children under 7 years of age and adults over 58 years of age, among the groups to be vaccinated

The National Commission for Vaccination and Epidemiology (CNVE) agreed yesterday, March 23, the risk groups that may be vaccinated against seasonal influenza this year.

As reported by the Ministry of Health, the groups to be vaccinated are:

• Children under 6 months to less than 7 years of age and adults 58 years and older (regardless of risk).
• Pregnant women, regardless of gestational age.
• Population between 7 and 57 years of age with the presence of some chronic disease (diabetes, heart disease, grade I, II, III or morbid obesity, chronic respiratory patients (asthma-COPD- chronic bronchitis or tuberculosis), Down syndrome, kidney patients, cerebral palsy (PCI), severe and moderate malnutrition, cancer, and primary, secondary or acquired immunodeficiencies and vasculitis.
• Workers from the health sector of the CCSS and Ministry of Health, Red Cross, Firefighters and police forces, as well as officials from Senasa, 9-1-1, and Migration and Aliens.
• Health sciences students and related technicians who are carrying out clinical fields within the health establishments of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS).

The entity recalled that CEN-CINAI and INCIENSA officials are part of the Ministry of Health and in the case of the Red Cross and Firefighters, volunteers are included.

Likewise, workers in the health sector of the CCSS and Ministry of Health or other instances not mentioned will be vaccinated if they have any of the risks established by the CNVE.