Mallorca flu jab drive targets 273 schools from Monday

Mallorca’s flu jab campaign starts on Monday, 5 October, with visits planned to 273 schools for children aged three to 11. Flu vaccinations also begin in care homes that day. People over 70 there will be offered protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well.

School teams offer jabs to children and staff

Across the Balearic Islands, teams plan to visit 351 schools. They will offer flu jabs to 27,000 children whose parents have given permission. School staff who want a jab can have one when the team visits their school.

The upper age limit for children has risen from seven to 11. Balearic health minister Manuela García said children can spread viruses within their families. Last year, the school programme reached 44.8% of children enrolled in the second stage of nursery education.

Care homes and babies are next in the campaign

The Balearic Islands have bought 289,090 flu vaccine doses and 15,500 doses for protection against RSV. García said the campaign is open to the whole population from the start to increase vaccination rates.

From Monday, health centres will also contact families of babies born between 1 April and 30 September this year. The aim is to immunise them against RSV before they reach six months old. That is the period when they are most likely to develop severe bronchiolitis. RSV immunisation is estimated to have reduced hospital admissions for bronchiolitis in infants by more than 80%.

Topics: Education · Health · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com