Chile's Respiratory Virus Surge Prompts Winter Vaccination Campaign

A recent surveillance report from Chile’s Institute of Public Health showed that 41.4% of respiratory samples tested positive for a virus during week 19, with rhinovirus (44.6%) and influenza A (23.1%) leading the circulation. Health experts warned that the high viral activity combined with low vaccination rates could increase severe cases and hospitalisations among children under five, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions.

In the Magallanes region, clinicians announced an early start to the 2026 winter health campaign, stressing vaccination, mask use, hand‑washing and avoiding crowded places. They highlighted the disappearance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases after preventive immunisation and urged the public to protect vulnerable relatives through herd immunity. The hospital also expanded rapid molecular testing and cautioned against unnecessary antibiotic use.