Chile expands free influenza vaccination to entire population

From July 23, the Valparaíso‑San Antonio Health Service (SSVSA) began offering the seasonal influenza vaccine to everyone in Chile at no cost. Previously limited to high‑risk groups such as children, seniors, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses and health‑care workers, the campaign now welcomes any resident who wishes to be immunised. SSVSA spokeswoman Myriam Morales stressed that “A partir del 23 de julio, la vacunación se amplía a toda la población general. … cualquier persona que desee recibir la inmunización contra la influenza […] puede acceder a los vacunatorios”.

The Maule Region health authority reported that vaccination coverage among adults aged 60 + remains at 64 %, leaving roughly 98 000 seniors still unprotected. The Service of Health Maule urged older adults and their families to receive the shot promptly, warning of heightened risks of hospitalization, pneumonia and severe complications as the season progresses and respiratory viruses circulate.