Over 377,000 residents of the Vitebsk region have been vaccinated against influenza

November 2, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. In the Vitebsk region, 377.3 thousand people have been vaccinated against influenza as of November 1, including more than 123 thousand children, Vladimir Sinkevich, chief physician of the Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health, told a BELTA correspondent. The total vaccination coverage currently stands at 31.08% of the population, or 87.4% of the regional plan for immunization this year. In accordance with the latter plan, it is intended to cover at least 35% of the population and 40% of employees of large enterprises with influenza vaccinations in the Vitebsk region this year. "The immunization campaign for the population of all risk groups is actively underway throughout the region, including thanks to the extensive explanatory work carried out by medical professionals. Vaccines with low reactogenicity and high immunogenicity are used for vaccinations in healthcare organizations. These vaccines protect against influenza viruses that are predicted to circulate in the epidemic season of 2012-2013," noted Vladimir Sinkevich. This year, it is planned to vaccinate more than 110 thousand residents in the Vitebsk region using funds from the republican budget, 260.3 thousand using funds from the local budget, 60.7 thousand using funds from enterprises, organizations, and institutions, and over 8 thousand using personal funds of citizens. During this period, weekly monitoring of the disease incidence is organized in the Vitebsk region. As of November 2, compared to the previous calendar week, the incidence rate in the region has decreased by 6.2%. Children under 18 years of age account for 63.14% of those who are ill. The intensity level of the epidemiological process is low. At the same time, non-influenza viruses (adenoviruses, RS viruses) cause the diseases. No cases of influenza have been registered. -0-