Costa Rica will start vaccinating younger adults who have at least one Covid-19 risk factor, the Social Security System announced Wednesday.
Areas that have vaccinated at least 80% of elderly adults (defined here as 58 years or older) will start inoculating at-risk 18 to 57-year-olds.
“Our priority is to finish vaccinating the elderly, but we also need to advance in the vaccination process with Group 3 in those health areas that are already close to ending with Group 2,” said Mario Ruíz, medical manager of the Caja.
Among the risk factors that qualify a Costa Rican citizen or resident into Group 3 are: hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, chronic kidney disease, grade III obesity, morbid obesity, cancer, HIV-AIDS and the beneficiaries of organ transplants.
Health Minister Daniel Salas on Monday warned of rising coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in Costa Rica, and he reminded Ticos to heed protocols to help slow the spread of Covid-19.
During Epidemiological Week 14, which ended Saturday, Costa Rica added 4,987 new cases, representing 82% more than the previous week (2,743).
Meanwhile, Covid-19-related hospitalizations have doubled over the last 15 days. As of Friday, April 9, there are 412 people hospitalized with the disease 199 of them in intensive care.
“We have an individual and collective responsibility to flatten that curve that is rising dangerously. Vaccination is advancing, but we need to strengthen preventive measures to let this immunization advance and achieve the necessary protection, especially for the most vulnerable,” Salas said.