Title: Vacunation Pace Slows Down: Less Than Half of Elderly and Medical Staff Immunized
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**Bur lancion, Dec 24** – The vaccination drive in the region has seen a notable slowdown, with key populations, including the elderly and healthcare workers, lagging behind targets. As Christmas approaches, health authorities express concern over the insufficient coverage, which could complicate the control of both the flu and COVID-19 in the coming months.
**Elderly Vaccination Stalls**
More than four in ten adults aged 60 and above remain unvaccinated, despite the campaign’s initiation over two months ago. The slow progress is particularly alarming given the coexistence of both viruses and the proven effectiveness of vaccines in reducing disease severity and preventing deaths.
Vaccination rates vary among elderly age groups:
– Ages 60-64: 30.5%
– Ages 65-69: 50.5%
– Ages 70-74: 60.5%
– Ages 75 and above: 77%
While the current coverage for the oldest age group is the highest, it still leaves a concerning 23% unimmunized. These figures starkly contrast with previous campaigns during the pandemic, when vaccination rates reached record highs within just a month and a half.
**Vaccination Among Children and Healthcare Workers**
Among children under five, considered at high risk, vaccination rates are also low:
– Children under two: 55.6%
– Children aged 24-59 months: 39.1%
– Total children under five: 44.2%
In healthcare settings, only 44.7% of professionals have received the flu vaccine, far below the 75% target. Though this figure exceeds pre-COVID levels of around 30%, it remains insufficient to ensure the protection of this critical workforce.
**Provincial Disparities**
Vaccination rates among those aged 60 and above differ significantly across provinces. Soria leads the way with 63.2%, followed by Segovia (60.8%) and Valladolid (59.9%). León (54.1%) and Palencia (57.3%) have the lowest coverage.
As for COVID-19 vaccination rates, Soria (48%) and Segovia (47.2%) are at the top, while León (36.8%) and El Bierzo (24.4%) report the lowest figures.
**Hospital Variation**
Small hospitals report the highest vaccination rates among healthcare workers:
– Medina del Campo (Valladolid): 91.8% (exceeding the 75% target)
– stacking Santos Reyes in Aranda de Duero: 54.4%
– Burgos Hospital: 51.9%
Meanwhile, hospitals in León record the lowest rates, with the total regional hospital registering 31.3% and El Bierzo at a concerning 24.4%.
**Looming Concerns**
The slow vaccination pace among vulnerable groups and healthcare workers raises alarm, potentially complicating the control of both influenza and COVID-19 in the coming months. Health authorities continue to urge eligible individuals to get vaccinated to ensure personal protection and collective safety.
