The Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands began this Thursday vaccination against influenza in Lanzarote and in the rest of the health centers of the Canary Islands with the aim of "reducing the incidence of this disease, its duration and the impact that, each year, has on the population; especially in this year in which we are still in a pandemic due to COVID-19."
This influenza vaccination campaign is presented with the singularity of coinciding with the administration of the third dose of vaccine against COVID-19 for those over 70 years of age who may receive, at the same time, vaccines against influenza and the third dose against COVID-19. In this way, it is easier for this group to go to get vaccinated only one day and the vaccination teams are not saturated, being more efficient in the organization.
The flu vaccine is recommended for all those over 65 years of age, chronically ill people of any age and their caregivers, pregnant women, health and social health personnel.
It is necessary to make an appointment
The Ministry of Health announces that an appointment for vaccination can be made by calling 012 or 922470012 or 928301012 and the influenza vaccination campaign is aimed at population groups at risk of suffering complications in case of suffering from influenza:
People over 60 years of age, to prevent complications, hospitalizations or deaths in case of contracting the flu.
People diagnosed with chronic pathologies of any age, over 6 months, to prevent complications, hospitalizations or deaths in case of contracting the disease.
Pregnant women, to protect themselves and their future children, and prevent complications, hospitalizations or deaths in case of contracting the flu.
Health personnel, to protect themselves and protect the people who are under their care, also avoiding that there may be a decrease in their services, which are essential for the community, in case of multiple sick leaves due to influenza, especially in the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.
Personnel who care for the elderly or dependents, to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the extremely fragile population they care for, avoiding a possible decrease in their services in case of multiple sick leaves due to influenza, especially in the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic.
261,500 doses acquired in the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands has acquired a total of 261,500 doses of influenza vaccine to face this 2021-22 influenza season, with an investment of 1,801,500 euros, expandable if necessary due to increased demand for vaccination.
To face this season there will be three types of vaccines:
Influenza virus (fractionated, inactivated), of embryonic egg culture, of the four strains (tetravalent) recommended by the WHO. 140,000 doses, for an amount of 840,000 euros. It is indicated preferably for people under 60 years of age with chronic diseases.
Influenza virus (fractionated, inactivated), of cell culture, of the four strains (tetravalent) recommended by WHO. 120,000 doses for an amount of 924,000 euros. It is indicated preferably for people over 60 years of age and pregnant women
High-dose tetravalent influenza vaccine: recommended by WHO. 1500 doses for an amount of 37,500 euros. It is indicated preferably for people over 90 years of age institutionalized in residences.
Combination of the vaccine against influenza and the third dose against COVID-19
In the case of those over 70 years of age who make an appointment to be vaccinated against influenza and against COVID-19, the computer system already takes into account that a period of six months must pass between the administration of the second and third doses of vaccine against COVID-19. Thus, when the user makes an appointment to be vaccinated against influenza and against COVID-19, these deadlines will be taken into account to administer the two vaccines on the same day.
For the vaccination of those under 70 years of age, both the massive vaccination points and the health centers will be available, while those over 70 will be referred preferably to their health center as it is the space closest to their home.
In the 2019-2020 season, 250 Severe Confirmed Hospitalized Influenza Cases were reported to the surveillance system, of which 86 cases (34.4%) were admitted to the ICU and 36 cases (14.4%) died
