The Ministry of Health of Santa Fe announced the start of the third stage of dengue vaccination, aimed at essential personnel aged between 40 and 59 years. In this phase, health personnel, police officers, penitentiaries, and firefighters within this age range will be vaccinated, aiming to prevent the disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
According to the provincial health secretary, Andrea Uboldi, and the secretary of cooperation, Cristian Cunha, although there are currently no reported cases of dengue, the vector responsible for the disease is present throughout the province. So far, 10,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered, prioritizing adolescents and health personnel.
The vaccination campaign started in early September, initially including adolescents aged 15 to 19 for free. Subsequently, vaccination was expanded to health personnel, police, and brigadiers aged 20 to 39. However, there has been a low turnout of young people at vaccination centers, which led to considering the possibility of vaccinating at schools.
Officials highlighted that the QDenga vaccine from Takeda, used in this campaign, has not shown significant adverse effects. This vaccine is administered in two doses separated by three months, with a cost of around $94,500 per dose in the private sector.