Argentina, Chile and Uruguay expand free vaccination campaigns

In San Justo, Argentina, local health authorities are offering free yellow‑fever vaccination to residents and travelers. Doses are administered without appointment every Thursday between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the central health center and mobile posts, with eligibility limited to people aged 1‑60; younger children and seniors over 60 need a medical order, and the vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women.

The Chilean municipality of Puerto Montt has intensified its influenza immunisation programme, adding mobile units, home visits and outreach to people with limited mobility. Residents aged 65 and over can also receive a single‑dose pneumococcal vaccine (Neumo 23) free of charge, and the campaign is promoted through the Salud Conecta hotline.

Uruguay's Ministry of Public Health announced an expanded free meningococcal vaccination targeting adolescents aged 11‑12, covering roughly 48 000 teens. The move follows an unusual rise in cases, now dominated by serogroup C, which accounts for 70 % of infections. Authorities plan to procure about 300 000 doses, aiming for over 90 % coverage to create herd immunity, and may extend the programme to younger ages as supplies arrive.