Mexico City. The Ministry of Health (Ssa) reported that vaccination against seasonal influenza begins this Monday, with 35.2 million doses, and against COVID-19, with 19.4 million, although the vaccines for this disease represent almost half of the 40 million initially announced.
He specified that the objective is to reduce the risk of hospitalizations and deaths from these diseases in populations living in vulnerable conditions, such as older adults over 60 years of age, pregnant women, or those with diseases that predispose them to serious complications, and those between five and 59 years of age with risk comorbidities that predispose them to serious complications, and children from six to 59 months of age will only receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Although both diseases target the same vulnerable population, there will be around 16 million fewer vaccine doses available for COVID-19 vaccinations. The Abdala and Sputnik V vaccines will be administered, the agency reported in a statement, without specifying whether more doses will be purchased.
Coordination
He explained that from October 16, 2023, to March 31, 2024, the agency, in coordination with sector institutions, will carry out the National Vaccination Campaign against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 for the 2023-2024 winter season in medical units across the country.
He mentioned that the influenza vaccine protects against severe forms attributable to the four circulating subtypes of the virus: two of type A and two of type B.
While vaccination against Covid-19 is intended to reduce the risk of developing severe forms of the virus, the Abdala and Sputnik V vaccines have optimal safety and efficacy profiles for protecting the population and have been approved by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris).
