Authorities from the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, the Ministry of Health, and the Pan American Health Organization announced on April 23 the start of the national influenza vaccination campaign for 2026. The initiative will allow for the administration of 1.5 million doses beginning Monday, April 27, at health centers across the country.
The campaign aims to protect populations considered at risk as defined by the National Commission on Vaccination and Epidemiology. Other healthcare workers not included in these groups will be vaccinated if they meet certain risk criteria established by this commission.
Influenza is described as a highly infectious disease that occurs seasonally with high transmission rates. This increases outpatient visits and hospitalizations, making it a significant public health concern.
For this year’s effort, authorities said that people in designated risk groups can receive their vaccine at any institutional health facility where doses are available, regardless of their place of residence.
The nationwide vaccination drive against seasonal influenza is scheduled to begin throughout Costa Rica on Monday, April 27.