Chile and Argentina roll out winter home‑vaccination campaigns against influenza

In the Chilean town of Castro, primary health teams are conducting a door‑to‑door influenza vaccination program during the winter season. Residents who wish to be vaccinated display a red handkerchief outside their homes, allowing health workers to identify households and deliver free influenza shots, as well as COVID‑19 and pneumococcal vaccines where appropriate. The initiative is aimed at increasing coverage among high‑risk groups.

In Argentina's Neuquén province, pulmonologist Sergio Homann warned that several respiratory viruses, including influenza A, B and the H3N2 strain, are circulating through the winter months. He emphasized that individuals who received the flu vaccine in autumn are already protected, and advised the public to wear masks, seek medical evaluation for symptoms, and avoid poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Homann noted that the respiratory syncytial virus and other pathogens are expected to continue spreading for roughly another month.