Flu virus kept at bay
Cases hit a low for the Valencia region
FLU cases have ‘plummeted’ over the autumn and winter compared with previous years, according to the regional health department.
A spokesman explained that they diagnosed just three positive cases in January, when the figure was 1,651 in the same month last year.
The health department stated that the enormous decrease was partly due to the ‘massive vaccination campaign’ carried out against the flu, which started in the autumn – together with the additional hygiene measures that are being taken, and social distancing.
The spokesman explained that they managed to inoculate 95.17% of healthcare staff against flu, as well as 67.93% of people over the age of 64, which were ‘much higher percentages than in previous campaigns’.
He revealed that 1,157,510
jabs against flu had been administered in the last four months in the Valencia region alone.
Of these, 425,962 were in Alicante province, 121,967 in Castellón province, and
609,581 in Valencia province.
During the 2019/2020 campaign they administered 767,388 vaccinations.
The spokesman added that by January 31 only two very serious cases of flu had been reported during this season compared with 173 at the same time last year.
Javier Díez, head of the vaccine investigation department of the Fundación Fisabio, said that the extensive vaccination campaign was ‘one of the variables’ which explained the extremely low circulation of the influenza virus in the Valencia region.
He noted that ‘viral interference’ – explained as ‘viruses which do not compete against each other’ – had also played a part.
The early flu vaccination campaign for 2020/2021 started on October 5, which was a month before the start in 2019.
The spokesman noted that health centres had contacted patients to arrange appointments for jabs so that they were able to maintain security protocols to prevent Covid-19 infections.
DENIA bar ‘Sabor Latino’ opened its doors for business on Sunday in the second protest by the group 'united by need' against Valencia’s ongoing Covid-19 restrictions.
It was a peaceful event staged in solidarity with the hospitality sector in Castellón which was scheduled to open for business on Tuesday in defiance of the health rules.
However, this direct action was put on ice while provincial representatives met with the regional government.
The Denia group was founded to highlight the plight of small businesses, workers, and the self-employed as the restrictions bite following the closure of bars, cafes and restaurants, gyms and sporting facilities.
Under its slogan ‘poverty also kills’; supporters seek to highlight how people are facing economic ruin, unable to pay rent and bills or put food on the table.
The bar in Calle Patricio Fernández opened to offer a takeaway service and so remain within the law but to still allow 'united by need' to continue its campaign.
One of the group’s organisers Marie Fielding said the protests were being staged over the damage being caused by restrictions rather than a denial of Covid and the pandemic.
She said: “Seven police officers did come and we talked to them, explaining we were doing this for good reasons and not to cause a riot.
“We pointed out that we were not rebels or criminals or there to cause trouble but to underline the fact we cannot survive without income
anymore.
“They said they were just doing their job and we understood that – but said they got a weekly wage and weren’t worried about paying rent or buying food and this bar owner needed to open to make some money.”
Marie said the officers did listen and just by reaching out to others, the group was achieving ‘some good’.
VALENCIA has no protocol to offer Covid-19 vaccines to thousands of people living in the region who do not have a SIP card, doctors claimed this week.
The lack of plans to give this group one of the approved shots is a problem across Spain – and they estimate it affects around three million people who are not part of the national health system.
And they said it was a matter of such importance for community health, they advised an application for a temporary SIP card to ensure people were at least recognised by the system.
Weeks ago, private sector doctors highlighted the potential problem to health chiefs in the Valencia government but complained they have received ‘no answers’ to date.
Dr Max Meertens, a specialist in family and community medicine based at Clinica Benissa, signed the original letter to the regional health authority, offering his and colleagues’ help in finding a solution.
He said: “We alerted the health authorities in Valencia about the situation of thousands or residents and nonresidents in this region who are not being taken into account for the next Covid-19 vaccination campaign. Throughout Spain and particularly in Valencia, there are many foreigners, from the European and non-EU communities, who, for various reasons, do not have the right to public health.
“Throughout the country, there are three million people who are in this situation.”
He said central government, through the ministry of health in Madrid, had addressed the issue and said ‘any person residing in Spanish territory would receive the coronavirus vaccine’; but said the management was to be handled by regional authorities.
In an official statement, health officials said: “Spain will not make distinctions. Any person residing in Spanish territory will receive the vaccine against the coronavirus.”
It said every immigrant would be vaccinated; those who were not ‘affiliated’ to the health system, those in an ‘irregular situation’, and the homeless.
Dr Meertens said people who relied on private health cover participated fully in social life and described their financial contribution as ‘very important’ – saying it added millions of euros to the Alicante economy.
He added: “It must be taken into account that for public health reasons, these thousands of people cannot be ignored, they must be part of the objective of herd immunity, in addition to reducing infections among ‘at-risk’ people.
“We believe a gesture from the health department conveying that this group is not forgotten will be very well received. It would be an important sign that in the Valencia region, everyone is welcome.”
The doctors praised the ‘great job’ being undertaken by the health service and acknowledged that ‘all professionals in public health are making a superhuman effort.”
However, they maintain public health chiefs have been unable to explain how the vaccination programme will cover such a large group of people. “For us, it is a health irresponsibility not to have a protocol prepared for this group.”
They have asked Valencia for confirmation the group would be part of the vaccination programme and to explain what people without a
SIP card should do to be included – at present the doctors recommend applying for a temporary card; and how to register patients considered ‘atrisk’ to be included in the appropriate group for a shot.
Help
Costa Blanca charity Help of Denia and the Marina Alta advises that British nationals not registered with the Spanish social security system might be able to access a Covid-19 vaccine. Help was advised that the Valencia government said
people with private insurance could request to be registered in the vaccination programme.
They should contact their local health centre and present their ‘padrón’, residency document, private insurance health card and a Spanish contact telephone number. And the charity said if a health centre would not register someone with all the requisite documents, they should advise Help – with all their details – by emailing help.covid.vaccine19@gmail. com