# Chile respiratory virus circulation hits three-year high > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chile-influenza-surge-and-vaccination-drive > Updated: 2026-09-11T03:06:17.000Z. Sources: 49. Developments: 9. Chile’s universal free influenza vaccination programme, expanded to the entire population on 23 July, has seen vaccination coverage reach 78.8%. While the campaign aims for an 85% target, specific groups remain below this threshold, including children aged 6 months to 5 years (64.6%), pregnant women (75.9%), and seniors aged 60 and older (62.5%). In contrast, RSV immunization coverage has reached 97.5%. Health officials have highlighted a strong correlation between vaccination status and severe outcomes, reporting that 70% of individuals who died from influenza during the 2026 winter campaign were unvaccinated. Viral circulation has intensified, reaching a three-year high. During the week of 23 to 29 August, sample positivity hit 57.9%, surpassing the previous week’s 56.1%. Rhinovirus remains the most prevalent agent at 33.5%, followed by RSV at 27.6%. While general emergency consultations for respiratory infections saw a slight decrease of 4.6%, the Ministry of Health reported a 2.3% increase in consultations for infants under one year old, alongside a 5.5% rise in hospitalizations for this age group. Currently, 41.2% of patients in pediatric intensive care units are being treated for respiratory pathologies. Regional pressures persist. In the Coquimbo Region, regional health authority Karen Irribarra Vergara noted that while over 108,000 seniors have been vaccinated, coverage stands at 57%, missing the 85% target. In the Aysén region, Influenza B has emerged as the primary agent, accounting for approximately 41.7% of cases, coinciding with a sharp rise in emergency visits at the Puerto Aysén Hospital. ## Claims - The health authority's target is 95 % vaccination coverage, especially among priority groups. (disputed) - The campaign aims to reach 85% vaccination coverage in priority groups. (disputed) - Chile’s Ministry of Health expanded free influenza vaccination to the entire population on 23 July 2026, removing age and risk‑group limits. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Vaccination coverage among priority groups was 62% for seniors and 63% for children aged six months to five years. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Influenza positivity reached 46.8% in epidemiological week 28, up from 43% the previous week. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Influenza A accounted for 24.6% of detections and Influenza B 21.1% in the same period. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Expert María Ester Muñoz stated that vaccination reduces severity and hospitalization risk even though it does not prevent infection. (corroborated by 3 sources) - An intense frontal system affected the Coquimbo region, causing emergency conditions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 70% of Influenza deaths were among unvaccinated individuals. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 53% of people hospitalized with severe Influenza cases were unvaccinated. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Sample positivity reached 54.3% during epidemiological week 32. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rhinovirus is the most detected virus, accounting for 32.4% of cases. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Chile reports surge in respiratory viruses, hitting three-year high Chile reports a three-year high in respiratory virus positivity at 57.9%, with rising risks for infants and young children from rhinovirus and RSV. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-reports-surge-in-respiratory-viruses-hitting-three-year-high ### 2026-08-31: Chilean health authorities report rise in respiratory viruses Chilean health authorities report rising respiratory virus circulation, noting that 70% of influenza deaths in Coquimbo involved unvaccinated individuals. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilean-health-authorities-report-surge-in-respiratory-viruses ### 2026-08-20: Chile health authorities warn of rising respiratory viruses and listeriosis Chilean health officials report that 70% of influenza deaths occurred in unvaccinated individuals as respiratory virus circulation hits seasonal peaks. Listeriosis risks are also being highlighted. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-reports-70-of-influenza-deaths-were-unvaccinated ### 2026-08-04: Coquimbo, Chile ramps up flu vaccinations and medical aid after storm Chile's Coquimbo region boosts flu and hepatitis A vaccinations, installs an army‑run medical post, and warns of rising respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses after a severe storm. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coquimbo-chile-ramps-up-flu-vaccinations-and-medical-aid-after-storm ### 2026-07-28: Chile expands free flu vaccination, surpasses 6 million doses administered Chile’s health ministry lifted all limits on flu shots, reporting over 6 million doses given, high virus positivity, and a push to reach 85% coverage in priority groups. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-expands-free-flu-vaccination-to-entire-population ### 2026-07-23: Chile expands free influenza vaccination to entire population Chile opened free flu vaccinations to all residents on July 23, while Maule officials note 98 000 seniors remain unvaccinated, with coverage at 64 % for those 60 +. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-expands-free-influenza-vaccination-to-entire-population ### 2026-07-07: Chile's Ñuble region reaches 80% flu vaccine coverage as Illapel seeks to boost rates Chile's Illapel reports 71.9% flu vaccine coverage, below the 85% goal, while the Ñuble region achieves 80% coverage among target groups, protecting over 245,000 people. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chiles-uble-region-reaches-80-flu-vaccine-coverage-as-illapel-seeks-to-boost-rates ### 2026-07-04: Chile’s Maule Region surpasses 80% flu vaccine coverage amid winter rollout Maule hit 80.28% flu vaccine coverage, Valparaíso topped the national average, new pharmacy sites opened for influenza B, and Chile’s health ministry urged over 140 000 children to get their second measles shot 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maule-region-surpasses-80-flu-vaccination-ranks-second-nationwide ### 2026-06-25: Chile health officials warn of rising influenza cases in Antofagasta and Maule Chile’s Antofagasta region saw a 13.8% rise in emergency flu consultations and 74% vaccination coverage, while Maule reported a record 53% viral positivity, linking overcrowding to higher transmission. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-health-officials-warn-of-rising-influenza-cases-in-antofagasta-and-maule --- Cite as: Chile respiratory virus circulation hits three-year high. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chile-influenza-surge-and-vaccination-drive