Vaccination Eligibility & Locator for Syncotational Virus in 2025
- SANTIAGO, chile – the Chilean government initiated its 2025 vaccination campaign on march 1, targeting respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), health officials announced.
- RSV, a common virus, is a leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, often resulting in hospitalizations, according to the Ministry of Health.
- Given RSV's prevalence during this time of year, the Ministry of Health opted to begin the vaccination campaign earlier than initially planned.
Chile Launches 2025 Vaccination Campaign Against Respiratory Viruses
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SANTIAGO, chile – the Chilean government initiated its 2025 vaccination campaign on march 1, targeting respiratory viruses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), health officials announced.
RSV, a common virus, is a leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, often resulting in hospitalizations, according to the Ministry of Health.
Given RSV’s prevalence during this time of year, the Ministry of Health opted to begin the vaccination campaign earlier than initially planned.
Who is Eligible for the RSV Vaccine?
According to ChileAtiende, the RSV vaccine is administered on a voluntary basis. However, health authorities strongly recommend vaccination for infants six months and younger, as they are at the highest risk of severe illness or death from RSV infection.
The vaccination campaign prioritizes the following groups:
- Newborns as of March 1, 2025.
- Infants born from October 1,2024.
- Infants born from April 1, 2024, meeting specific criteria:
- Premature infants born before 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth.
- Infants with hemodynamically important unresolved congenital heart disease or cyanotic heart disease secondary to high complexity heart disease.
- Premature infants born between 32 and 34 weeks and 6 days gestation, with a birth weight between 1,500 and 2,500 grams.
- Newborns or infants subjected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) born from September 30, 2023. ECMO is a medical procedure where a machine oxygenates and pumps blood, replacing the function of the heart and lungs.
- Othre high-risk infants as defined by health authorities.
Where Can You Get your child Vaccinated?
The vaccine is available free of charge in both public and private healthcare systems, provided the private facilities have an agreement with the regional health authority (Seremi). ChileAtiende states that vaccines are available in maternity and neonatology units, as well as vaccination centers.
A list of public vaccination sites can be found here.
What are the Symptoms of RSV?
RSV is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets produced by infected individuals. Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, ventilating homes, and wearing masks.
Symptoms to watch for include:
In infants: Irritability, cough, sneezing, fever, reduced appetite, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing, according to ChileAtiende.
In older children: Runny nose, reduced appetite, fever, and mild wheezing.
Chile’s 2025 Vaccination Campaign: Your Questions Answered
What is Chile’s 2025 Vaccination Campaign About?
The Chilean government launched its 2025 vaccination campaign on March 1st,focusing on protecting the population from respiratory viruses,particularly influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). According to health officials, this campaign aims to mitigate the impact of these common viruses.
Why is RSV a Focus of this Vaccination Campaign?
RSV,or respiratory syncytial virus,is a significant concern. The Ministry of Health highlights that RSV frequently leads to bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, frequently enough requiring hospitalization. Given RSV’s prevalence during this time of year, the vaccination campaign was initiated earlier than planned.
Who is Eligible for the RSV Vaccine?
The RSV vaccine is available on a voluntary basis. However, health authorities strongly recommend vaccination for infants aged six months and younger because they are at the highest risk of severe illness or death from RSV infection. The campaign prioritizes the following groups:
- Newborns as of March 1, 2025.
- Infants born from October 1, 2024.
-
Infants born from April 1, 2024, meeting specific criteria:
- Premature infants born before 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1,500 grams at birth.
- Infants with hemodynamically vital unresolved congenital heart disease or cyanotic heart disease secondary to high complexity heart disease.
- premature infants born between 32 and 34 weeks and 6 days gestation,with a birth weight between 1,500 and 2,500 grams.
- Newborns or infants subjected to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) born from September 30, 2023. ECMO is a medical procedure where a machine oxygenates and pumps blood,replacing the function of the heart and lungs.
- Other high-risk infants as defined by health authorities.
Where Can I Get My Child Vaccinated?
The RSV vaccine is available free of charge through both public and private healthcare systems. If using a private facility, ensure they have an agreement with the regional health authority (Seremi). According to ChileAtiende,vaccines are available in maternity and neonatology units,as well as vaccination centers. A list of public vaccination sites can be found here.
What are the Symptoms of RSV?
RSV is a highly contagious virus that spreads through respiratory droplets produced by infected individuals. Preventive measures include frequent hand washing, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, ventilating homes, and wearing masks.
Symptoms to watch for include:
In infants: Irritability, cough, sneezing, fever, reduced appetite, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing, according to ChileAtiende.
In older children: Runny nose, reduced appetite, fever, and mild wheezing.