THE NEWS
The Government Employees Social Security Institute (ISSSTE) issued 574,456 doses of vaccinations against ten diseases during the First National Health Week 2016. The demographics of those who received vaccinations were primarily children and infants age six and below, teenagers over the age of 11, pregnant women and seniors.
During the ‘Semana de Salud’, which runs from Feb. 20-26, there will be resources to complete the Standing Vaccination Program schedule.
The 35 medical sub-delegations are instructed to deploy 1,573 mobile teams, 365 permanent positions and 613 semi-permanent positions with 1,292 vaccinators, including directors of medical units, general practitioners, epidemiologists and nurses.
They will also receive the support of 3,517 volunteers, made up of nursing and medical students, as well as middle and high school students who previously received training to support the different actions.
The director general of ISSSTE, José Reyes Baeza Terrazas, said in a statement that he strongly urged Mexicans to receive the mobile brigade at their homes or to go to vaccination posts that will be installed throughout the country.
Deputy Director of Prevention and Health Protection Margarita Blanco Cornejo reiterated as well that the main goal of the First National Health Week 2016 is to maintain the eradication of polio in Mexico.
In this regard, the ISSSTE will supply 472,207 units of SABIN, a type of polio vaccine, beginning in the next six months, and continuing over the next five years.