Seremi de Salud RM promotes influenza vaccination and preventive measures at Mercado Lo Valledor

This morning, the Seremi de Salud RM, Gonzalo Soto, participated in a mobile vaccination operation against Influenza and Bivalent in Mercado Lo Valledor, aimed at workers and the target audience, to reinforce the call to get vaccinated, given the increase in circulation of respiratory viruses.

“In the Metropolitan Region there is indeed a high circulation of the Syncytial Virus and Influenza. It is important to note that there is no vaccine for the Syncytial Virus, so it is very important to know the preventive measures to reduce viral circulation. For Influenza we do have a vaccine, those that are safe, effective, reduce complications, for example from an infected person and also reduce the chances of death. That is why we reiterate the call to get vaccinated against Influenza, we have the whole winter ahead of us, that is why it is essential that we can be protected”, said the Seremi de Salud RM, Gonzalo Soto.

Regarding the points available to get vaccinated in the Metropolitan Region, the seremi indicated that “we have more than 200 vaccination points available, more than 80 on weekends and 54 extramural points. More than 367 IRA and ERA rooms in the region, which are rooms that provide care for respiratory diseases in primary care, since it is essential that we can make good use of the network at this time.”

The Seremi de Salud RM, also highlighted that in the Metropolitan Region 75% coverage is reached in the school population from 1st to 5th grade, the target population for vaccination against Influenza, “which has been possible thanks to 2,800 operations that have been carried out in the region and also adds to the 300 operations that have been carried out in long-stay establishments for the elderly,” said the authority.

Among the preventive measures to avoid contagion of respiratory diseases, frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds stands out; if a person has any respiratory symptoms, avoid contact and interaction with older adults and children under 2 years of age; Wear a mask in case of respiratory symptoms or if we are in crowded places.

In addition, the Seremi pointed out that intra-domiciliary contamination must be avoided and therefore, “it is essential to ventilate our homes at least once a day for 15 minutes, in order to reduce the circulation that may be inside the home, and also be careful how we are heating our houses. The use of wood heaters is prohibited in the Metropolitan Region, and as Seremi de Salud we are supervising to be able to generate the summaries and investigations where it is not being complied with. It is also essential to maintain the heating equipment, at least once a year, so as not to have complications”.