The prevention of influenza in Canary Islands is based primarily on vaccination, which aims to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with influenza, and the impact of the disease in the community, recalls in a note the department of the Canary Executive.
During the past year, 68 people lost their lives due to the flu in Canary Islands, 31 more than in the 2017 campaign.
The deceased men were within the considered risk profile, since 66,7% was over 64 years old. An 31,8% was between 15 and 64 years and only 1,5% were under 15 years.
In addition, Canarian hospitals recorded 1.049 cases of influenza in people admitted without serious influenza criteria, and other 506 people hospitalized for their severity.
Of these, 69,6% was diagnosed with a pneumonia, which is the most frequent complication of influenza in severe cases; and of respiratory distress acute (49,0%).
Likewise, 19% of the cases in which vaccination was indicated, had received the vaccine.
68 deaths were recorded, the median age was 73,5 years, 91,17% were older than 64 years.
Of persons with registration and with indication of influenza vaccination 10,8% of the deceased had received the vaccine. The 33,8% had entered the ICU.
Vaccination campaign against influenza in the archipelago
The flu vaccination campaign in Canary Islands is primarily aimed at protecting people who have a increased risk of complications (in case of suffering the flu). Also at that can transmit the disease to other people they have a high risk of complications. Finally, those who, due to their occupation, provide essential services in the community
In this flu vaccination campaign in Canary Islands, Two vaccines will be used: a tetravalent target for all persons under 65 years, included in the risk groups.
And another adjuvant trivalent, aimed at people of 65 years or more, and elderly population with an increased risk of associated complications.
In this regard, we want to highlight that the rates of people receiving influenza vaccination are actually very low. During the previous period, they were lower than the previous seasons.
Therefore, it is a priority objective of the Ministry of Health, generate influenza vaccination campaigns in Canary Islands and improve coverage in the target population.