A shipment with more than 32,000 doses against influenza, hepatitis A and tetanus arrived in the Coquimbo region on Wednesday. Health authorities began administering them to groups at risk due to the rains, while influenza vaccination expanded nationwide to the entire population starting Thursday.
The Ministry of Health reported the arrival of the shipment in Coquimbo, one of the areas most affected by rainfall from the frontal system. Subsecretary of Public Health Alejandra Pizarro oversaw the distribution and explained that the doses are being given to people exposed to sewage, drainage systems, rescuers and brigadists.
Vaccination points have been extended to emergency services and shelters. Director of the Coquimbo Health Service Ernesto Jorquera confirmed that the emergency network operates without interruptions and that primary care centers and hospitals maintain normal operations.
As of July 22, 7.7 million people had been immunized nationwide, representing 78 percent progress. Coverage among those aged 60 and older and children aged 6 months to 5 years stands at only 62 and 63 percent respectively. This follows MINSAL's instructions to prioritize hepatitis A and tetanus shots in rain-affected regions including Coquimbo, Atacama and the Metropolitan Region.
