Influenza A in Argentina: when does vaccination begin and what recommendations should be taken into account?

Due to the increase in the influenza A (H3N2) table, the Argentine Ministry of Health announced that it will start receiving the first 1,120,000 doses of influenza vaccine between March 18 and 21. On the first day of next week, it will be the time for the distribution to begin. In addition, she reported at a meeting of the Federal Health Commission (COFESA) this Friday that “the guidelines and strategies of the annual influenza vaccination campaign will be presented to the ministers of all jurisdictions in the country.”

However, in the face of this situation, the portfolio led by Carla Vizzotti issued a series of recommendations for the health team and the general public, whose objective is to allow preventive and therapeutic measures to be implemented from the first day of December last year. “The cases of influenza A, especially the H3N2 subtype, gradually increased from the first day of December last year to 794, with confirmed cases and 6 deaths by February 10.

According to the Ministry of Health, the increase in these infections “represents a cycle during abnormal periods for this respiratory virus, which is expected to circulate normally in late autumn and winter (mainly between May and August),” according to the Ministry of Health.

Among the recommendations provided by the health portfolio, it was recommended to “maintain a well-ventilated environment, wash hands frequently with soap and water, wear a mask, avoid going to work, and continue educational COVID-19 prevention and control measures to prevent and control activities or public places when there are symptoms”. For the health team, “it is important to raise awareness of clinical suspicions about influenza-like diseases and implement preventive measures by vaccines and treatments, especially in groups with the highest risk of developing complications, such as adults over 65 years of age, pregnant women, children under 2 years of age and children with risk factors”.

What is influenza?

The Ministry of Health noted that “influenza viruses are the main cause of influenza conditions”, which particularly affect the nose, throat, bronchi, and sometimes lungs. “Viral infections usually last for a week and are characterized by a sudden onset of high fever, muscle pain, headache, general malaise, dry cough, sore throat and rhinitis.” I explained that.

They also noted that “the virus is easily transmitted from one person to another through droplets and small particles that are released by coughing or sneezing.” “Influenza usually spreads rapidly in the form of seasonal epidemics, and most people affected recover within a week or two, even without treatment.” At the same time, they warned that “in children, the elderly and people with other serious medical conditions, infection can cause serious complications, lead to pneumonia, and in some cases lead to death.”

The importance of influenza vaccination to prevent serious conditions

The Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of applying the influenza vaccine as “a fundamental preventive tool to reduce complications”. They also stressed that for this reason, this vaccination was included in the National Vaccination Calendar for “health personnel, pregnant women at any time of pregnancy, pregnant women (up to 10 days, up to 10 days if not vaccinated), population from 65 years old, girls and boys between 6 and 24 months, and people with risk factors between 2 and 64 years of age”.

In connection with the start of the vaccination campaign, the National Health Portfolio announced that the first vaccination will arrive between Friday, March 18 and Monday, 21, to distribute the national vaccination plan. In this first batch, Argentina will receive nearly 1,120,000 doses of influenza vaccine.

Delivery of goodness to all 24 districts will begin after the logistics conditioning process. With this, it was expected that the distribution would begin “early next week”. However, they pointed out that this Friday there will be a face-to-face meeting of the Federal Health Commission (COFESA). Here it is pointed out that “the guidelines and strategies of the annual influenza vaccination campaign will be presented to the ministers of all national jurisdictions.”

In the epidemiological alert, “cases were found in all groups (ages) and the highest number of cases were initially found in children under 5 years of age and in adults between 25-34 years of age; second place”. The jurisdictions where the most infections have been recorded are Buenos Aires Province, Salta, Buenos Aires City, Tucuman, Santa Fe, and Córdoba. So far, according to official documents, “there are 6 cases of deaths diagnosed with influenza.”

Keep reading:

The number of cases of influenza in Argentina has increased during an abnormal time of the year.

COVID-19