Ecuador launches flu vaccination campaign to prepare for El Niño
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The Ecuadorian government launched a mass immunization campaign on October 28, 2026, to protect citizens against seasonal influenza.
The campaign will run until March 31, 2027, as the country prepares for the arrival of El Niño, a climate phenomenon that can influence the spread of respiratory illnesses. The state allocated 9.3 million dollars to purchase vaccines through the Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund.
This investment aims to provide free doses to approximately 3.3 million people who are at high clinical risk. Health officials chose to start the campaign early to close protection gaps and prepare for the specific weather changes associated with the climate event. The strategy uses a mix of fixed health centers and mobile brigades that visit community spaces to bring vaccines directly to homes. This approach seeks to prevent hospital overcrowding and reduce severe respiratory complications.
Priority groups for the vaccination include children aged 6 months to 5 years, adults over 65, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with chronic illnesses, and healthcare workers. The campaign follows a program that has been part of the national calendar since 2006. Authorities moved forward with this year's schedule after the previous cycle reached a 90% general coverage rate. Juan Carlos Aveiga, the Minister of Public Health, stated the investment aims to shield households before the virus spreads.
Sonia Quezada of the Pan American Health Organization and Arturo Romboli of UNICEF also emphasized that timely vaccination protects children and community health.
