Children under five are making a name for themselves in the vaccination campaign against gripe, which for the first time has included them this year, although not at the rate that those responsible for the Ministry of Health would like.
The goal they have set is immunize 50% of 67,180 children against the flu virus between six months and five years in the Region, but only ten municipalities have reached this figure so far, according to the latest report issued by the General Directorate of Public Health, since the regional average for vaccination against influenza in minors stands at 36.5%.
In between the ten localities that can breastfeed there are Bullas (66%); Calasparra (56.7%); Cehegin (58.6%); Fortune (71.2%); Jumilla (52.3%); Moratalla (51.1%); Mule (50.9%); Eyes (70%); Las Torres de Cotillas (52.2%); and Villanueva del Río Segura (60.2%).
The largest municipalities, however, barely come close to the middle of the table, with Murcia at 37.9%; Cartagena with 29.4%; Lorca achieves 38.5%; and Molina de Segura stands at 41%.
The peak of the flu begins to subside but remains high, especially in children
To give a boost to these figures, Various initiatives have been launched from Health, such as the opening of a consultation to vaccinate against the flu for children who visit the Hospital Virgen de la Arrixacataking advantage of the visits when they have an appointment with a specialist or have to undergo a diagnostic test.
Added to this are also 3D glasses that are being used in some Primary Care health centers so that the little ones lose their fear of the intranasal vaccine by watching a cartoon video of the dog Olfatín and his friends.
as well as the message campaign smsthat have been sent directly to the phones of parents who have children of these ages, encouraging them to make an appointment at their health center or doctor’s office to receive the vaccine.
By ages, the range with the highest vaccination rate in the regional territory is that of 6 to 12 months, which stands at 48%, followed by 2 years (36.6%); 3 years (36.1%); 12 months (35.6%) and, finally, 4 years (32.8%).
The Ministry of Health recalls the importance of continuing vaccination against influenza in children from 6 to 59 months.
“The vaccine protects against the flu and other infections such as pneumonia, or group A streptococcus infections. which has been a reason for alert in other countries and in other autonomous communities ”, they point out from Health.
