The Costa Rican Social Security Agency (C.C.S.S.) will kick start its yearly massive vaccination campaign against influenza this May.

In total, the health authority will be a applying 1.3 million vaccines giving priority to children, senior citizens over 60 years of age and high risk population which includes diabetics, patients with heart conditions, pregnant women, cancer patients or those that suffer from obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or neurological disorders, among others.

The influenza or seasonal flu is a virus that changes from year to year, its symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, headaches and body aches, patients, especially those with compromised immune systems, can develop serious complications to the point of requiring hospitalization, death can also occur.

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.

This year the health authorities in Costa Rica invested over $5 million dollars in the quadrivalent flu vaccines which protect against two influenza A virus and two influenza B virus.

Authorities emphasize on the importance of having healthy habits and protecting your health: wash your hands thoroughly with water and soap several times a day, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing preferably with a paper tissue, handkerchief or your forearm, avoid crowded places, disinfect surfaces and if you have cold symptoms stay at home and go to the emergency services only if necessary, if you are part of the population at risk make sure to get vaccinated.

Those who are not part of the population in risk but wish to get vaccinated can acquire the shot in pharmacies around the country.