### National Vaccination Campaign Against Influenza and COVID-19 Launched; Abdala and Sputnik V to be Administered
Starting October 15, 2024, and running through March 28, 2025, the Federal Government’s Health Department, in collaboration with sector institutions, has initiated a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting influenza and COVID-19 as the winter season approaches. This extensive effort aims to provide 36,134,272 influenza vaccines and 22,931,444 COVID-19 doses to the most at-risk groups, including those vulnerable to severe complications, hospitalization, and mortality.
For influenza vaccinations, the primary focus is on children aged six months to four years and eleven months, individuals aged 60 and over, pregnant women in any trimester, healthcare workers, and people aged five to 59 with high-risk comorbidities. These include chronic heart or lung diseases such as COPD or asthma, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, cardiovascular disease excluding hypertension, renal insufficiency, immunosuppression, cancer, and HIV.
COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered to individuals between five and 59 who have similar risk conditions, with particular emphasis on those with uncontrolled diabetes, extreme obesity, chronic pulmonary conditions (including COPD and asthma), cardiovascular diseases (including essential hypertension), chronic kidney disease, immunosuppression, and cancer or HIV. Additionally, pregnant women, postpartum women, those over 60 years old, and health workers are prioritized for vaccination.
The Health Department noted simultaneous efforts to promote pneumococcal vaccinations for children under one and adults over 60, as part of a strategy to recover vaccination coverage. Eligible individuals can visit vaccination centers or health units affiliated with the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), IMSS-Bienestar, State Workers Social Security Institute (ISSSTE), PEMEX health units, or local health services.
Federal Health Secretary David Kershenobich highlighted the ongoing approval process for the Patria vaccine, leading to the use of Abdala and Sputnik V vaccines in this campaign. He emphasized the importance of a multi-vaccine approach, looking ahead to potentially including newer vaccines like those from Pfizer and Moderna.
Kershenobich assured that both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines were current, with the flu vaccine updated to include circulating strains, suitable for anyone aged six months and older with certain risk factors. He also dismissed claims regarding the COVID-19 vaccines’ obsolescence, stating that their primary purpose is to trigger an immune response to prevent severe illness leading to hospitalization or death.
The campaign’s objective is to stimulate the immune system, focusing on antibody production, despite changing viral strains. The Government remains open to incorporating updated COVID vaccines like Pfizer’s when they become available.
#### **Secondary Article: Paxlovid Gains Approval for COVID-19 Treatment**
On August 1, 2024, Mexico’s regulatory body granted approval to Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir), a treatment for non-hospitalized adults at risk of severe COVID-19 progression. After a rigorous evaluation by the New Molecules Committee, Paxlovid met all criteria for quality, safety, and effectiveness, paving the way for its open commercialization in Mexico.
Internationally recognized, including by the U.S. FDA, Paxlovid requires a prescription and must be administered under medical supervision. The regulatory agency urged against misuse and self-medication, advising health professionals to carefully assess risk factors before prescribing. Public reports of adverse effects and illegal sales are crucial to safeguard health, as Paxlovid is not a vaccine substitute.
Through these combined efforts, the campaign and treatments like Paxlovid represent significant strides in Mexico’s public health initiatives to combat seasonal and pandemic illnesses effectively.