Flu campaign begins in the Canary Islands

The Canarian Health Service will launch its winter flu jab campaign tomorrow at health centres throughout the islands.

267,000 doses of the vaccine have been acquired, and vaccination will also take place in local schools, using a painless intranasal vaccine.

The director of the health service, José Díaz-Flores, also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups to get vaccinated against COVID-19. “Contrary to what was expected, this virus has not become seasonal in autumn and winter. Cases are reported throughout the year, although with less severity and concentrated in certain risk profiles.”

The health service recommends flu jabs for the following groups:

• Those over 60 years of age.
• Children between 6 months and 6 years old.
• Pregnant women and women in the postpartum period.
• People with chronic illnesses, immunosuppression, or who are institutionalized.
• Health, social, and essential services personnel (police, firefighters, civil protection).
• Caregivers and those who live with vulnerable people (including infants under 6 months).
• Nursery and early childhood education staff.
• People whose work exposes them to animals (veterinarians, livestock farmers, etc.).
• People who smoke or have other factors that increase their risk, even if they do not suffer from a chronic disease.

Covid-19 booster jabs are recommended for:

• People over 70 years of age.
• People older than 6 months with immunosuppression or serious chronic illnesses.
• Residents in care homes, disability centres, or closed institutions.
• Pregnant women (especially in the last trimester).
• Healthcare personnel and caregivers, as a self-protection measure.