Children to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza in southeast Peru
March 17, 2010 12:03 pm
LIMA, March 17 — Some 600,000 Peruvian children under five years old will be vaccinated against seasonal influenza, pneumonia and influenza A(H1N1), the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday.
Health Minister Oscar Ugarteche said this measure is part of the National Plan for the cold season that is aimed at minimizing deaths caused by these diseases among children who live in the coldest areas of the country.
The government will allocate 61 million soles (about 21 million U.S. dollars) to the most vulnerable regions.
More than 4 million soles (about 1. 4 million dollars) will be delivered to the southeast region of Puno, which, along with Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco and Junin, is considered as the region with the highest infant mortality rate from the fall of temperature.
Ugarteche said that 261 children died from influenza and pneumonia in 2009 in these areas, 91 of whom were reported in Puno, the region hardest-hit by the cold wave.
The minister said the vaccination campaign will give priority to children under one year old. (PNA/Xinhua)
ALM/ebp
[...] Children to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza in – Balita NewsLIMA, March 17 — Some 600,000 Peruvian children under five years old will be vaccinated against seasonal influenza, pneumonia and influenza A(H1N1), the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday. Health Minister Oscar Ugarteche said this measure is [...]