Ximena Aguilera, director of the Health Observatory at Diego Portales University and former Minister of Health, appeared on ADN radio to analyze the low influenza vaccination rates and emphasize the importance of strengthening coverage, especially among high-risk groups.
During the interview, the academic explained that people over 60 and pregnant women historically have lower vaccination rates, a situation that stems from various factors related to risk perception and fears surrounding immunization.
“Regarding coverage among people over 60, this is a group that may have a lower perception of risk. When we talk about pregnant women and children between 6 months and 5 years old, these groups consistently have lower vaccination coverage internationally. In general, pregnant women are difficult to vaccinate due to their fear that the vaccine will affect the pregnancy,” she noted.
Aguilera also reminded everyone that the virus doesn’t circulate with winter, so he stressed the need to maintain immunization campaigns in the coming months. “The flu doesn’t disappear in winter; it often resurfaces in the spring. Therefore, we urge everyone to take advantage of every opportunity to get vaccinated, regardless of age group,” he stated.
Listen to the interview at the following link.
