The incidence and deaths due to influenza decreased last year. In 2017 there were 1,768 cases of influenza per 10,000 inhabitants, while in 2015 there were 2,760 cases per 10,000 inhabitants.
In addition, in 2016, 119 people died and in 2017 that number dropped to 76.
Maria Eugenia Villalta medical manager of the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), said that this was thanks to the vaccinations and the protocols for coughing and sneezing.
Dr. Villalta explained that influenza occurs seasonally and is highly contagious.
The availability of the vaccine raises cost-saving intervention alternatives,”
said Villalta, referring to the strong vaccination campaign they implemented last year.
There is a decrease in incidence in 2017, as well as hospitalizations and deaths. The types of influenza that most affect the population are A and B,”
said the doctor.
Xiomara Badilla, Head of Epidemiological Surveillance, indicated that the quadrivalent vaccine will include types 2A and 2B and one million 300 doses will be administered throughout the country from May. The population to be vaccinated will be children from six months old to less than five years old, people over 60 years old, people from five to 60 years old with risk factors such as cardiac patients, diabetics, people with chronic respiratory diseases, among others.