The General Directorate of Public Health of the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands has recalled this Thursday the importance of being vaccinated against the flu and covid-19 to prevent serious conditions of these infections in case of contagion.
In this sense, it has reminded that both vaccines are administered in all health centers of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS) and that with vaccination against the flu and covid-19 to the population at risk, the coexistence of the two infections in the same person is avoided, minimizing the severity of the disease in the patient and the stress to the health system.
The Ministry insists that the vaccine is the most effective way to avoid contracting or transmitting the flu, especially in those people who are at risk of suffering complications in case of suffering the disease and in the personnel that is essential for the community such as the health personnel and the caregivers of the elderly or dependents.
Previous appointment
Those people interested in receiving the vaccines against the flu and against the coronavirus can request an appointment by calling 012 or their telephones without additional charges: 922470012 and 928301012.
Flu incidence data
According to the data collected in the latest surveillance report of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the Canary Islands corresponding to the week of December 25 to 31, there has been a small decrease in the incidence rate of ARIs compared to the previous week, from 1,296.78 cases per 100,000 inhabitants to 1,254.72 cases per 100,000 inhabitants at present.
The age groups that present a higher incidence in this last week are, on the one hand, the population from zero to four years with 4,408 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, people over 79 years, who present a rate of 1,435 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the population from five to fourteen, a group that has a rate of 1,600 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Protection measures
The Ministry of Health also insists on the population the importance of maintaining the necessary protection measures in case of presenting symptoms compatible with the flu or COVID-19 to avoid putting the most vulnerable population at risk of contagion.
In this sense, it is reminded that if you present symptoms such as cough, fever, general malaise, sore throat, congestion and nasal secretion, among others, and to avoid the transmission of the virus to other people, the main recommended preventive measures are:
- Wear a mask when you are going to share the space with other people.
- Increase the ventilation of the rooms.
- Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially after blowing your nose or coughing.
- Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with your arm or with a tissue.
- Use disposable tissues, throwing them away after each use.
- Avoid very close contact with vulnerable people.
- Do not share glasses, cutlery, towels and other objects that may have been in contact with saliva or secretions.
Although most acute respiratory infections evolve favorably in a few days, in certain more vulnerable cases they can cause a serious illness. If you belong to a risk group (chronic patient, obesity, over 65 years, children over 6 months with chronic diseases...) or you are usually in close contact with vulnerable population (relatives, caregivers, health personnel...), vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 and the use of masks are recommended when you are in crowded spaces, during the times of greatest incidence of respiratory viruses.
