Andorra Surpasses Flu Vaccine Targets Amid Declining Cases

Andorra's Health Ministry has administered 8,086 flu vaccine doses since the autumn campaign began on October 6, exceeding the 7,900 doses purchased beforehand for at least 2,000 general residents and 5,900 people over 60. The procurement cost 132,000 euros.

For respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which has lower incidence in the population, 700 doses have been given so far, below the 1,510 acquired by the government.

Voluntary COVID-19 booster shots, available since October 29, have reached 1,279 people. The ministry noted that residents can receive protection against COVID-19 at any time of year if three months or more have passed since their infection or last vaccination.

Mireia Castillo, a nurse at the Canillo Primary Care Centre, highlighted early in the campaign that higher uptake would reduce severe outcomes and hospitalisations from these illnesses.

Recent flu incidence from February 16-22 has declined, mainly affecting those over 74, at 13.77 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Acute respiratory infections rose to 146.88 per 100,000, but only 8.33% of samples tested positive: 40% for rhinovirus/enterovirus, 20% for RSV or metapneumovirus, and 10% for influenza A or SARS-CoV-2.