Boosting Vaccination Rates: A Heritage Weekend Initiative

In a proactive move to enhance public health and broaden the reach of the current influenza vaccination campaign, the Metropolitan Park will serve as a temporary vaccination hub during the upcoming Heritage Weekend and beyond. This initiative aims to improve vaccination rates, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Strategic Collaboration for Public Health

The announcement was made jointly by key government figures, including the Minister of Health, Andrea Albagli, alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Growth, Carlos Montes, Undersecretary of Assistance Networks, Bernardo Martorell, and the mayor of Recoleta, Fares Jadue. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing public health through accessible vaccination programs.

Recoleta’s Vaccination Status: Addressing Gaps

mayor Fares Jadue highlighted that Recoleta currently has a 57% vaccination rate. He emphasized the need to focus on specific demographics with lower coverage:

We have two age ranges, which is those over 65 and children up to 6 years, with a low rate. Therefore we want to invite our neighbors to approach the vaccination points, especially this weekend, which is the Day of Heritage.

Mayor Fares Jadue, Recoleta

This targeted approach aims to protect the most vulnerable residents from the influenza virus.

Vaccination Locations and Schedules

Two convenient vaccination points will be available within the Metropolitan Park:

• Pio Nono Entrance: Saturdays and Sundays, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
• Bicentennial Park of Childhood: Saturdays, 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM; Sundays, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Additional vaccination sites will be strategically located along popular routes during the Day of Patrimonies, with details to be released by the regional health authority.

The Urgency of Vaccination: A Race Against the Virus

Undersecretary Martorell stressed the importance of seizing this possibility to get vaccinated, emphasizing that it’s never too late to protect oneself. He noted the increasing strain on emergency services due to viral infections:

It is never too late to get vaccinated, we are gradually seeing an increase in consultations in our emergencies and in that sense it is a race against the virus, to decrease the number of people susceptible to a serious illness, and happily vaccination has a high percentage of effectiveness.

Bernardo Martorell,Undersecretary of Assistance Networks

Vaccination remains a highly effective tool in mitigating the severity of influenza and reducing hospitalizations.

Positive Progress and Ongoing Efforts

Minister Albagli highlighted the successful collaboration between institutions and the progress of the vaccination campaign, including the use of Nirsevimab, a preventive medication against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). as of late May, approximately 7 million people have been vaccinated against influenza, representing a coverage rate of around 68-69%. Furthermore, Nirsevimab coverage among newborns leaving maternity wards is at an impressive 98%, with 82% coverage for infants born between October 2024 and the present.

A Timely Call to Action

With viral circulation on the rise, Minister Albagli reiterated the urgent need for eligible individuals to get vaccinated:

The time to get vaccinated today, we are already entering the phase where there is greater viral circulation that is shown by all our different surveillance systems, so if you are part of an target group and you have not attended to protect yourself with the vaccine, please do it today.

Andrea Albagli, Minister of Health

This initiative during Heritage Weekend provides a convenient and accessible opportunity for the public to safeguard their health against influenza.