Chile expands free flu vaccination, surpasses 6 million doses administered
Chile’s Ministry of Health reported that 6,019,498 influenza vaccine doses had been administered by week 19 of the 2026 campaign, a 5.9% rise over the same period in 2025. The government lifted all age and risk‑group restrictions on 23 July, making the vaccine available free of charge to the entire population.
Experts highlighted a high viral circulation, with a 46.8% positivity rate in epidemiological week 28, up from 43% the previous week. Influenza A accounted for 24.6% of detections and Influenza B for 21.1%. While the vaccine does not guarantee infection prevention, it lowers the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
Vaccination coverage in priority groups had reached 62% among seniors and 63% among children aged six months to five years, and the campaign aims for 85% coverage in these high‑risk groups. To date, more than seven million doses have been administered nationwide as officials continue urging the public to get vaccinated.
Entities: Chile · Chile Ministry of Health · Manuela Muñoz · Marcela Díaz · Mario Lugones · María Ester Muñoz · Ministry of Health of Chile · University Andrés Bello
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The health authority's target is 95 % vaccination coverage, especially among priority groups. (Ministry of Health goal)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Influenza A is the predominant circulating virus in Chile this season. (Ministry of Health epidemiological report)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Manuela Muñoz, academic at the University Andrés Bello, said the vaccination initiative is very positive. (Quoted interview)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than 7 million flu vaccine doses have been administered nationally in Chile. (Ministry of Health data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Chilean Ministry of Health extended free influenza vaccination to the entire population on 23 July, removing age and risk‑group limits. (Ministry of Health announcement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The campaign aims to reach 85% vaccination coverage in priority groups. (target_goal)
- [● 2 SOURCES] 6,019,498 influenza vaccine doses were administered in Chile by week 19 of 2026, a 5.9% increase over 2025. (increase)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Chile’s Ministry of Health expanded free influenza vaccination to the entire population on 23 July 2026, removing age and risk‑group limits. (policy_change)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Influenza A accounted for 24.6% of detections and Influenza B 21.1% in the same period. (virus_distribution)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Expert María Ester Muñoz stated that vaccination reduces severity and hospitalization risk even though it does not prevent infection. (expert_opinion)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] More than seven million influenza vaccine doses have been administered nationwide since the campaign began. (cumulative_doses)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Influenza positivity reached 46.8% in epidemiological week 28, up from 43% the previous week. (epidemiology)