Flu Shots Scheduled for Children This Weekend
Children aged 6 to 59 months in the Ourense region will have the opportunity to receive the flu vaccine during a large-scale vaccination campaign scheduled for this weekend. Nearly 1,565 children within the health area have received text messages on their parents’ phones, inviting them to take advantage of this convenient day. Those who couldn’t make it during the week will have another chance to get their children vaccinated on Saturday and Sunday at designated locations.
The vaccinations will take place from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00 at the Verín Public Hospital and Valdeorras Public Hospital. According to the Ministry of Health Superintendent, these additional weekend hours are intended to make it easier for families to accommodate vaccination appointments, supporting both family schedules and promoting widespread flu protection.
This initiative aims to encourage vaccination and emphasize the significance of protecting children from the flu. Vaccination against influenza in the pediatric population is crucial for providing immunity and minimizing the risk of severe complications from the virus.
Child flu infections, according to the Galician Department of Health are while statistically prevalent, reaching triple the rate seen in people over 65. Hospitalization rates, however, show similar numbers in both age groups. Data from the previous year’s vaccination campaign highlight the effectiveness of immunizations in children. The findings indicate that the flu vaccine is approximately 70 effective in preventing hospitalization due to influenza among young children.
To date, 58% of children within this age group have already been inoculated against the flu in the Ourense region.
Who Should Get a Flu Shot
The segment of the population targeted for the flu vaccine encompasses individuals beyond children under 5 years old, including:
Those aged 60 or older
Residents of closed congregated settings such as senior residences or disability centers
Pregnant individuals
Individuals considered to be at-risk
Healthcare personnel and social healthcare workers
Individuals employed in essential public services, including state security forces and bodies, firefighters, or civil protection personnel.
Cohabitants of high-risk individuals
Smokers
Individuals with celiac disease
Staff working in early childhood education centers with children younger than 5 years old
Individuals with direct occupational exposure to animals or their secretions on farms (certain types), particularly poultry, pig or mink farms or (wildlife like birds, wild boars or mustelids). This includes professions such as ranchers, veterinarians, farmworkers, hunters, ornithologists, environmental agents, and zoo staff.
Where are the flu vaccination clinics being held?
**Human News Editor:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about flu season, and we have Dr. [Guest Name], a leading pediatrician in the Ourense region, joining us to discuss an important initiative happening this weekend. Dr. [Guest Name], welcome to the show!
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Thank you for having me.
**Human News Editor:** So, tell us about this flu vaccination campaign happening for children in the region.
**Dr. [Guest Name]: **That’s right. We’re making it a priority to ensure as many children as possible are protected against the flu this year. We know that children aged 6 months to 59 months are especially vulnerable to complications from influenza. That’s why we’re holding a special vaccination campaign this weekend specifically for this age group.
**Human News Editor:** That’s wonderful. Can you tell us more about the details of the campaign?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** Absolutely. We’re holding the campaign at the Verín Public Hospital and Valdeorras Public Hospital. We’ll be open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. We sent text message reminders to parents of nearly 1,565 children, but of course, all parents in the region are welcome to come.
**Human News Editor:** That’s a great way to make it convenient for busy families. Why is it so important for children to get the flu vaccine?
**Dr. [Guest Name]:** The flu can be a serious illness, and young children are at higher risk for complications like pneumonia and bronchitis. Vaccination is the best way to protect them and keep them healthy. [[1](https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-shots-for-children-under-2)]
**Human News Editor:** So by making the vaccines available on the weekend, you’re hoping to eliminate barriers and encourage more parents to bring their children in?
**Dr. [Guest Name]: **Exactly. We want to make it as easy as possible for families to prioritize their children’s health. Urine
**Human News Editor:** Thank you so much for sharing this important information with us, Dr. [Guest Name]. We hope this initiative will be a success and help keep the children of Ourense healthy this flu season.
