Prioritizing Vaccination: Protecting Risk Groups Against Disease

University of Talca Initiates Vaccination Campaign Targeting Risk Groups

March 14, 2025

The University of Talca, in collaboration with Cesfam Las Américas, launched its 2025 vaccination campaign, prioritizing immunization against influenza and COVID-19 for individuals in designated risk groups. The initial vaccination day took place at the Lircay campus, marking a meaningful step towards safeguarding the community’s health ahead of the winter season.

Importance of Early Vaccination

During the event held at the VDE building, Gloria Icaza Noguera, the Maule Health seremi, emphasized the critical importance of proactive vaccination efforts. “This year we advance for winter, as in the last two years we have seen that influenza peaks occur before,” she explained, highlighting the need for early intervention to mitigate potential outbreaks.

Noguera also acknowledged the University of Talca’s support, stating, “We appreciate the work done by the University of talca in support of the vaccination campaign and call on the target groups to take advantage of this space.”

Upcoming Vaccination Opportunities

Daniel Jiménez Acuña, Director of the Student Health Directorate, announced further vaccination opportunities. on March 20, vaccinations will be available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Office of the DSE on the Curicó Campus.Additionally, on March 26, vaccinations targeting influenza, COVID-19, and Pneumo23 will be administered in Linares.

Jiménez urged the community to participate, stating, “attend these vaccination points, so that they are protected for winter.”

Priority Risk Groups

The vaccination campaign prioritizes specific risk groups to maximize its impact. These groups vary depending on the vaccine:

Influenza

• Health personnel
• People aged 60 and over
• Chronic patients between 11 and 59 years old
• Pregnant individuals
• Children aged 6 months to 5th grade
• Relatives of premature infants (under 37 weeks) or immunosuppressed infants (under 6 months)
• Teachers and assistants of preschool and school education up to 8th grade
• Older adult caregivers
• Poultry, livestock, and pig farmers

COVID-19

• Health personnel
• People aged 60 and over
• Chronic patients from 6 months of age
• Pregnant individuals
• Immunocompromised individuals from 6 months
• Older adult caregivers

Neumo23

• Adults from 65 years

Protect Yourself and Your Community

The University of Talca’s vaccination campaign offers a vital possibility to protect yourself and contribute to the overall health of the community. by getting vaccinated, especially if you belong to a priority risk group, you can substantially reduce your risk of contracting influenza, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses. Take advantage of the upcoming vaccination dates on March 20 and 26. Visit the Curicó or Linares campus to receive your immunization and ensure a healthier winter for all.

>What other measures could universities and communities implement to promote vaccination confidence among hesitant individuals?

University of Talca’s 2025 Vaccination Campaign: An Interview

Archyde News brings you insights into the University of Talca’s recent vaccination campaign launch. We spoke with Dr. Sofia Ramirez, a public health expert and advisor to the University of Talca, to understand the initiative’s goals and impact.

Understanding the University of Talca’s Vaccination Initiative

Archyde News: Dr.Ramirez, thank you for joining us. the University of Talca has launched its 2025 vaccination campaign. Can you tell us what prompted this initiative?

Dr. Ramirez: Certainly. The driving force behind this campaign is a commitment to protecting our community’s health, particularly vulnerable groups, ahead of the winter season. We learned from the past two years that influenza peaks occur earlier, necessitating proactive measures, including early vaccinations against influenza and COVID-19.

Targeting Priority Risk Groups for Vaccination

Archyde News: the campaign prioritizes specific risk groups. Who are these individuals, and why is it crucial to focus on them?

Dr. Ramirez: The priority groups include health personnel, individuals aged 60 and over, chronic patients, pregnant individuals, young children, and caregivers for vulnerable populations. These groups are more susceptible to severe illness from influenza and COVID-19. Vaccinating these individuals helps protect them and reduces the overall burden on our healthcare system. The Neumo23 vaccine targets adults from 65 years of and contributes to reducing the risk of pneumococcal disease.

Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

Archyde News: The campaign focuses on influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations. With declining COVID-19 cases,is the COVID-19 vaccination still necessary?

Dr. Ramirez: Absolutely. While COVID-19 cases may have decreased, the virus is still circulating, and vaccination remains the best defense against severe illness, hospitalization, and long-term complications, especially for high-risk individuals. continued COVID and influenza vaccination is crucial, and we must not be complacent.

Upcoming Vaccination Opportunities and Accessibility

Archyde News: What are the upcoming vaccination opportunities, and how accessible are they to the community?

Dr. Ramirez: The University is offering vaccinations at various campuses – Curicó on March 20th and Linares on March 26th.These locations are easily accessible to students, faculty, and local community members. We encourage everyone in the priority groups to take advantage of these opportunities to get vaccinated.

Beyond the Individual: Community-Wide Benefits

Archyde News: Frequently enough, vaccination is seen as solely for individual protection.How does this campaign benefit the broader community?

Dr. Ramirez: When a significant portion of the population is vaccinated, we achieve herd immunity, which protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants or individuals with certain medical conditions.This collective protection reduces the spread of the virus and minimizes the risk of outbreaks, benefiting the entire community.

A Thought-Provoking Question on Hesitancy

Archyde News: Vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge. What would you say to someone who is unsure about getting vaccinated, despite being in a priority risk group?

Dr. Ramirez: That’s a crucial question. I understand that people may have concerns. My advice is to speak with your healthcare provider, discuss your questions and doubts, and get accurate information from credible sources. The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, especially for those in priority groups. It’s not just about protecting yourself, but also about protecting your loved ones and contributing to a healthier community. *What other measures could universities and communities implement to promote vaccination confidence among hesitant individuals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.*