Half of people over 80 have already been vaccinated against flu in Aragon

The flu vaccination campaign is beginning to show its first results in Aragon, providing an initial measure of how priority groups are responding. Progress is particularly significant among older people and children, two groups that health authorities have focused on this season. Aitziber Lanza, director general of Public Health for the Government of Aragon, said this past Tuesday that coverage has already reached 50% among people over 80 and 16% among children up to age 11. “It appears to be working very well,” she said when assessing the initial figures. Among children, the 16% includes both those vaccinated at school and those who later visited health centers with their families. This year, flu vaccination has been extended to children up to age 11, compared with age 7 last season, and the school campaign has included more than 4,200 children enrolled in 159 schools across Aragon. RISK GROUPS ALSO MAKING PROGRESS Coverage is also around 16% among people aged 60 to 80 who belong to risk groups. “This is very good news,” Lanza said, recalling that general vaccination for the rest of those over 60 will begin next November 3. The campaign began on September 28 with the most vulnerable groups, including residents of care homes, healthcare and social care workers, pregnant women and people with high dependency needs or a very high risk. Children, people over 80 and other priority groups have subsequently been added.