After completing the vaccination campaign against influenza, the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) has reported 157,000 doses to be applied to protect pregnant women until November this year.
The remaining vaccines will also be used as the second dose in children who received the first one this year and for people who, for special reasons, did not receive immunization.
The CCSS protected about 1 million people against seasonal influenza. Vicenta Machado, coordinator of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), explained this is a success not only for the CCSS, but for the whole country.
According to Machado, they managed to protect a large percentage of the population, mainly people who, for their health, may be more vulnerable to this disease.
From May, 2nd to June 30th this year. 253,524 seniors, 126,674 people with respiratory diseases, 89,341 between 60 and 64 years old, 51,033 diabetics and 16,173 with heart conditions were vaccinated.
In addition, 106,739 children under 3 years old, 75,339 between 3 and 9 years old, 35,184 pregnant women and 32,473 health workers who work for the CCSS also received the vaccine.
The strategy successfully covered the regions of Brunca (93.7%), Pacífico Central (91.6%), Huetar Norte (93.7%) and Huetar Atlantic (91%).