Importance of flu vaccination highlighted
The Valencia region health service has 1,276,100 vaccines available for residents
THE FLU vaccination campaign started on Monday in the Valencia region – a month earlier than last year.
Councillor for health Ana Barceló noted that medics had administered 33,110 jabs on the first day.
She explained that people in risk groups are being contacted by telephone to attend appointments for vaccinations.
People can also ask for an appointment via the health department app GVA+ Salu
Sra Barceló appealed to everyone in these groups to get the jab.
“This year it is particularly important for these people to have the vaccination,” she said.
They are targeting groups who are most susceptible to suffer complications, ‘ along with other selected collectives’.
Their goal is to vaccinate
75% of people over the age of 64 and healthcare workers – and 60% of people who have underlying health problems or who are pregnant.
Sra Barceló said this was an ‘ ambitious target’.
“The campaign has been designed to prevent complications associated with flu,” she added.
The councillor explained that agendas have been drawn up in health centres so that prior appointments can be given to residents ‘ so there is no risk for people who go for their vaccination’. This year the Covid- 19 pandemic has led to a much earlier start to vaccinations to try to ensure that hospitals do not have to deal with a wave of coronavirus and flu patients at the same time.
Sra Barceló noted that it is necessary to ‘ reduce pressure on the health system as much as possible’.
“Over many years the flu vaccine has proved to be a safe and efficient tool,” noted Sra Barceló.
“People who have the jab have a lower risk of suffering complications.”
This year the Valencia region has 1,276,100 vaccines available for residents in the provinces of Alicante, Valencia and Castellón – which is 465,000 more than in 2019.