**National Vaccination Campaign Focuses on Vulnerable Groups**
The National Vaccination Campaign, aimed at protecting against seasonal respiratory illnesses, commenced on October 15. The initiative focuses on vaccinating vulnerable segments of the population such as children and the elderly. Officially launched in Baja California on October 21, the program began at the Villa del Campo health fair in Tijuana. The goal is to vaccinate 200,000 residents in the municipality and approximately 442,100 individuals statewide.
This campaign targets children under six years, seniors, and people with underlying health conditions that increase their susceptibility to respiratory diseases. José Abel Peraza Delgado, head of the Health Jurisdiction 2, announced that 57,000 doses of influenza and 57,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are available for Tijuana, Tecate, and Rosarito. An additional 150 influenza doses are expected, though the delivery date is unspecified.
“Our focus is on groups at higher risk of respiratory illnesses, especially children under five, adults over 60, individuals with heart or cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions like COPD, kidney ailments, and cancer patients with weakened immune systems,” explained Peraza Delgado.
While influenza vaccines are updated annually to combat prevalent strains, the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Baja continues to use the Cuban Abdalá vaccine. However, concerns have been raised by Health Secretary José Adrián Medina Amarillas regarding its effectiveness against new, more contagious Omicron subvariants.
The federal government targets to vaccinate one million residents against influenza, with an emphasis on reaching seniors and those with immunocompromised conditions. The goal for COVID-19 booster shots is set for at least 200,000 individuals.
According to the Health Department, the vaccination goal for influenza from October to March is 128,200 in Mexicali, 248,910 in Tijuana, 42,890 in Ensenada, and 22,100 in San Vicente, totaling 442,100 statewide. These figures exclude those covered by the Seguro Social, Issste, and Issstecali institutions.
Residents can receive vaccinations at health centers, IMSS, Issste, Issstecali clinics, and during health fairs at commercial locations, provided they bring identification and a vaccination card.
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**Secondary Article: Boost in Vaccine Distribution as Winter Season Approaches**
As the winter season nears, there is an increased urgency in distributing vaccines to safeguard vulnerable groups from respiratory diseases. Health officials are ramping up efforts to ensure vaccines reach critical demographics before peak illness periods. Enhanced public health campaigns and community outreach programs are being deployed to educate and motivate individuals to get vaccinated.
Additional resources are being funneled into the distribution channels to meet heightened demand and address potential logistical challenges. This includes extended clinic hours and mobile vaccination units aimed at reaching remote areas. The collaborative effort between state and federal health agencies aims to maximize vaccination coverage and mitigate the impact of respiratory illnesses during the colder months.
With the seasonal influenza risk and the persistent threat of COVID-19 variants, healthcare providers emphasize the importance of vaccinations as a preventive measure. Community leaders are urged to advocate for vaccination compliance, particularly within high-risk groups, to ensure the health and safety of all residents.