The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Public Health of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), reports that, since the beginning of the influenza vaccination campaign, on October 15, a total of 193,043 vaccinations have been carried out in all health centers of the Archipelago.
This represents an increase of 9.7 percent compared to the same weeks of the 2023 campaign.
By islands, 79,953 doses have been administered in Tenerife, 79,791 in Gran Canaria, and 13,395 in Lanzarote. In Fuerteventura, SCS health professionals have administered 8,247 vaccines, and in La Palma 8,038. Finally, in La Gomera, the accumulated number of vaccinated people amounts to 2,615, and in El Hierro 1,004.
The SCS has acquired a total of 295,000 doses of vaccine, with a total investment of 2,151,056 euros to face this 2024-25 flu season. Vaccination is free for SCS users and is available for risk groups, essential professionals of the autonomous community, and people who may transmit it to others with a high risk of complications.
Appointment management for vaccination is done through 012 or its numbers without additional charges 922 470 012 and 928 301 012.
Vaccination against covid
Regarding vaccination against covid, to date a total of 93,885 vaccinations have been carried out. Gran Canaria is the island where the most doses have been administered, with a total of 43,349. It is followed by Tenerife, with 36,575 injectables; Lanzarote, with 7,042, and Fuerteventura, with 3,408. La Palma, with 2,681 vaccines; La Gomera, with 625, and El Hierro, with 205 doses administered, are in last place.
The General Directorate of Public Health urges the entire citizenry on the importance of vaccination against covid in the target population, since there has been a decrease in the doses administered compared to last year around the same dates.
Target groups
Vaccination against influenza and covid is indicated in pregnant women, people over 60 years of age, people five years or older institutionalized in centers, people under 60 years of age with chronic diseases, people living with people at risk, and essential personnel for the community.
The General Directorate of Public Health recalls that the coexistence situation of influenza and covid continues, so seasonal vaccination this autumn-winter remains essential for the most vulnerable groups.
It also states that immunization is a fundamental aspect of prevention, both at an individual level, in people at risk, and for citizens in general, thus achieving greater protection as a group and of the community itself.
Avoid serious cases of flu
The Ministry of Health reminds that the vaccine is the most effective means to avoid contracting or transmitting the flu. To face this season four types of vaccines are available:
- target population over 6 months. 173,170 doses have been acquired with an investment of 637,265 euros.
- target population over 24 months. 64,830 doses have been acquired with a total amount of 499,191 euros.
- institutionalized elderly population and people with a high level of dependence in their home; over 60 years old. 27,000 doses have been acquired, which has meant an investment of 459,000 euros.
- boys and girls between two and five years of age (59 months). It can also be used in patients between five and fourteen years of age, included, with underlying disease that does not have it contraindicated. 30,000 doses have been acquired for which 555,600 euros have been invested.
Seasonal vaccination recommendations 2024-2025
Each year, vaccination recommendations against influenza in autumn-winter are established for those population groups with a higher risk of complications in case of suffering the infection, and in people who can transmit the disease to others who have a high risk of complications.
As a novelty this season the objective of vaccinating the child population against influenza continues, including vaccination in public schools, to facilitate access to vaccination, promote family reconciliation and increase vaccination coverage.
Since the 2021-2022 season, vaccination against influenza has coincided with vaccination against covid. The objective of vaccination against the coronavirus is to reinforce the protection of the most vulnerable people and that of health and social health personnel to reduce morbidity and mortality from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the impact of this disease on the capacity of care of essential services for the community.
Flu / covid vaccination
Taking into account the current epidemiological situation of covid, vaccination during the autumn-winter season (2024-2025) is recommended for the following population groups to avoid risk of complications or serious conditions:
- People 60 years of age or older.
- People five years of age or older, internal in care centers for people with disabilities and nursing homes, as well as other people institutionalized in a prolonged manner and residents in closed institutions.
- People under 60 years of age with chronic diseases such as:
Diabetes mellitus and Cushing's syndrome.
Morbid obesity (body mass index ≥40 in adults, ≥35 in adolescents or ≥3 DS in childhood).
Chronic cardiovascular, neurological or respiratory diseases, including broncho-pulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma.
Chronic kidney disease and nephrotic syndrome.
Hemoglobinopathies and anemias or hemophilia, other coagulation disorders and chronic bleeding disorders, as well as recipients of blood products and multiple transfusions, asplenia or severe splenic dysfunction.
Chronic liver disease, including chronic alcoholism, celiac disease and chronic inflammatory disease.
Severe neuromuscular diseases and immunosuppression.
Cancer and malignant hemopathies.
Cerebrospinal fluid fistula and cochlear implant or waiting for it, disorders and diseases that lead to cognitive dysfunction: Down syndrome, dementias and others.
- Pregnant women in any trimester of gestation and women during the puerperium (up to six months after delivery).
- People living with people with a high degree of immunosuppression, with people with other diseases of greater risk and with elderly people.
- Personnel of health centers and establishments (including pharmacy offices) and public and private social health centers (both health and non-health personnel).
- Personnel of essential public services, with special emphasis on the following subgroups:
-National, regional and local Security Forces.
- Armed Forces.
- Firefighters.
- Civil Protection Services.
Vaccination against influenza
In addition to the previous groups, vaccination against influenza is also recommended to:
• Child population between six and 59 months (5 years) of age.
• Smokers of any age.
• People from five to 59 years of age with a higher risk of complications derived from influenza, who are between five and 18 years of age and are in prolonged treatment with acetylsalicylic acid (inactivated vaccine), people living with people at risk.
• Students in internships in health centers and establishments (including pharmacy offices) and social health centers.
• People with direct occupational exposure to animals or their secretions on poultry, pig or mink farms or to wild fauna (birds, wild boars or mustelids), such as farmers, veterinarians, farm workers, hunters, ornithologists, environmental agents, zoo personnel, etc. The purpose of vaccination to these groups is to reduce the opportunity of a concomitant infection of human and avian or porcine virus, reducing the possibility of recombination or genetic exchange between both viruses.
