The Ministry of Health reported that it has the necessary vaccines to protect the population and aims to cover 95% of people requiring inoculation.

The director of Immunopreventable by Vaccines (IVD) of the Ministry of Health, Aida Lucía Vargas, said that vaccines to reduce the risk of influenza A and B, among others, are available in more than 1,450 fixed posts throughout the national territory.

Anyone as young as six months of age can get a flu vaccine at these vaccination sites for free.

The director reported that in 2025, in addition to girls between 9 and 14 years old, boys of the same age will also be vaccinated against human papillomavirus. Before, we only vaccinated females.

Vargas indicated that the Dominican Republic, through the Ministry of Health, has a vaccination schedule following its epidemiological situation. This schedule includes vaccines against hepatitis B and pentavalent (which prevent diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, rubella, and mumps) and for reducing the risk of meningitis, whooping cough, rotavirus, and TDAP for pregnant women, among others.

“We have vaccines for the entire life course of people,” she said.

The specialist called on parents to go to the vaccination centers with their children to protect them from diseases.

Dr. Evangelina Soler, a pulmonologist, assures us that there is no doubt about the increase in respiratory processes. However, she insists that it is what is expected this season.

These are stationary viruses, such as influenza, which have resulted in an infectious rebound that should be monitored.

“Most of the patients who come to our clinic are affected by the influenza virus,” said the health professional when interviewed by Hoy. Other viruses are also occurring in the child population, such as the OC43 variant of the coronavirus. It mainly affects the little ones.

Soler says that professionals are observing lung conditions in young patients in their consultations. This infection produces bilateral infiltrates in the lungs and is quite different from what is usually seen, as previously, it produced little pathogenicity.

Recommendations

Older adults and minors should wash their hands properly and avoid contact with sick people with respiratory processes. People who have health conditions such as kidney or cardiovascular conditions should avoid contact with those who have respiratory infections.

The same goes for those with diabetes, liver disease, and pulmonological problems. They should wash their hands and take care of their health.

Other specialists

Experts agree that viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and seasonal coronaviruses persist in respiratory infections.

This week, Dr. Robert Paulino said that these viral illnesses can be prolonged due to variability in temperature and humidity. These increasingly aggressive viruses require continuous vigilance. Every day, specialists report more cases of respiratory conditions.

For specialists, viral diseases in the northern hemisphere require preventive measures that must be adopted in the Dominican Republic this year to avoid outbreaks. The seasonal shift from winter to spring in the northern hemisphere marks a period of environmental transition that influences infectious disease dynamics.

More incidence

For specialists in these diseases, the seasonal transition shows increased respiratory and arboviral viral infections. Arbovirals at the arrival of spring and the increase in humidity create conditions conducive to the proliferation of diseases.

Santo Domingo—Nurses at the Santo Domingo Health Center say that the population is heeding the call of Public Health and regularly coming to get vaccinated against influenza, polio, and human papillomavirus (HPV).

The nurses explained that the flu vaccine is one of the most requested by users, both adults and children, especially during the seasons when flu cases tend to increase.

On the other hand, the person in charge of the vaccines area, Alvin Johnson, highlighted the availability of the HPV vaccine, which will be used as a preventive method for boys between the ages of 9 and 14 as well as girls.

In the case of polio, Jonhson emphasized that unlike the flu and HPV vaccines, it is a compulsory vaccine given to children from two months of age, and the schedule is completed by age four.

In the same vein, the manager pointed out that, given the center’s activity and high demand for offering vaccination services free of charge, they currently have a sufficient supply of vaccines to attend to the entire population that wishes to come.

“The country and the center do have the necessary and sufficient vaccines to vaccinate the population,” said Johnson.

Santo Domingo — In this Bulletin, the Directorate of Epidemiology of the Ministry of Public Health shows zero notification of dengue cases, with a cumulative total of 22 cases registered this year. Last year, 601 cases of dengue fever were reported. The current incidence of the disease stands at 1.18, a reduction of 96 percent.

One case of malaria, and the cumulative number of cases of the disease stands at 77. The incidence rate is 4.14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, showing a 65 percent reduction.

The notification of cholera cases has remained at zero, so the incidence remains at 0.00 percent. Zero cases of leptospirosis have been reported, for a cumulative total of 16 cases to date and an incidence of 0.87. No instances of COVID-19 have been reported, so the incidence remains at 0.87.

For this Epidemiological Week 09, the circulation of the virus Influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 was detected, and for influenza.

Two cases of acute pesticide poisoning were reported, a resident of the province of Santiago, the cumulative total up to the week is 40 cases. The distribution of cases by municipality of residence is 45 percent (18) in San Francisco de Macorís, 7.5 percent in La Vega, and 5 percent in Jima Abajo.

Maternal and infant deaths

In the SE-09, four maternal deaths of Dominican women have been reported. The cumulative total for this indicator is 31 deaths, while 36 have been reported so far this year. In terms of infant deaths, 20 deaths have been reported, while 30 were reported in 2024, reflecting a decrease in these indicators.

Santo Domingo — During the presentation “Diagnosis of Family Health Insurance (SFS) in the Dominican Republic”, Dr. Pedro Ramírez Slaibe explained that 97% of the Dominican population is affiliated to a health regime, either contributory or subsidized.

Currently, 54% of Dominicans are registered under the subsidized regime (5,718,718 people), 45% under the contributory regime (4,704,115 citizens), and the remaining 1% (93,616 people) under the pension modality.

The specialist in Family Medicine made a historical account in which he stressed that Family Health Insurance was created to guarantee universal coverage of health services without exclusions. This includes promotion and prevention, patient rehabilitation, and coverage during pregnancy and postpartum.

It also gives the member the freedom to choose their Health Risk Manager (ARS) and the service provider where they will receive care.

In the event of loss of employment, the patient enjoys all the benefits for 60 days, and after these, his condition will be seen if he continues in the contributory regime or goes to the subsidized regime, where the unemployed and their families, people with disabilities, and those in a situation of destitution receive care.

According to Ramírez Slaibe, this is protected by Article 129 of Law 87-01 on Social Security, which establishes that all citizens have access to a Basic Health Plan, regardless of their social, labor, or economic status and the financial regime to which they belong.

Family Health Insurance came into operation in the Dominican Republic in 2002, and the contributory regime in 2007. Between 2020 and 2021, affiliation with the subsidized regime accelerated, incorporating more than two million people into Social Security, “going from 85% to 97% of the affiliated population we have today,” he said.

The system has 10,516,449 affiliates, and collections rose from 58,565,404,586.57 in its origins to 101,485,179,143.17 in 2024, practically doubling.

“The FSS has made significant progress in terms of health coverage and access in the Dominican Republic, but it continues to face significant challenges in equity, financing and quality of services,” he said.

The population of 46 to 60 years of age grows

According to the doctor, one aspect that is worrying is how age groups have been changing over the years. Today, there is a growth in the population between 46 and 60 years old, which, although it continues to contribute and be productive, is the next to move to the pension system.

“This situation leads to the need to rethink the redefinition of per capita,” he said.

Out-of-pocket expense

Regarding out-of-pocket spending, the director general of the Center for Research and Studies in Health Management explained that despite the fact that it was calculated at 61.24% in 2004 and at 42.2% in 2020, “the reduction has not been so significant,” taking into account inflationary rates.

He pointed out that the most frequent expenses are medicines, uncovered procedures, and co-payments.

Proposals and reforms

Ramírez Slaibe concluded his presentation, which was part of the workshop on Social Security and Health organized by the Social Security for All Foundation (FSSPT), by proposing proposals and reforms for the common welfare.

“The gap between the original design and the current reality reflects the need for profound reforms to ensure the sustainability of the system and guarantee the right to health of the entire population,” he said.

As a possible solution, he proposes reforming the Basic Health Plan, expanding coverage of essential medicines and high-cost treatments, strengthening primary care, and incorporating mental health and rehabilitation services.

Similarly, review the sources of financing of the Basic Plan, implementing the contributory-subsidized regime, which allows informal or unemployed collaborators to continue contributing. It also proposes to establish better cost control mechanisms.

The doctor requested that the network of providers be redesigned and more efficient referral mechanisms implemented, thus guaranteeing greater equitable access to health centers.

Finally, Ramírez Slaibe understands that, to achieve these objectives, a dialogue between the State, the actors of the health system, and civil society is necessary to build a “more efficient, equitable and sustainable” system.

The primary health centers of Santo Domingo, Santiago, San Francisco de Macorís, Baní, and San Cristóbal report many respiratory conditions.

Influenza, syncytial influenza, adenovirus, and COVID-19 are some of the respiratory viruses affecting the country in the last four weeks, leading to increased consultations and emergencies reported by health centers. The epidemiological report issued by the Ministry of Public Health indicates that the circulation of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09, influenza A (H3N2), Adenovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and parainfluenza has been reported in week eight. So far this year, respiratory syncytial viruses, influenza B Victoria, and metapneumovirus 1, 2, and 3 have circulated, so Public Health assures that it continues with surveillance in monitoring these viruses.

Official surveillance

The Ministry of Health asked the population to go to the vaccination centers. Recently, there has been a latent threat with the virus that spreads against measles; the recommendation is to get vaccinated. Vaccines have saved millions of lives. In the case of the flu, it does not prevent it, but people do not complicate themselves with the severity and deaths. For this reason, it urges parents and guardians to update their children’s vaccination schedules, which contributes to preserving children’s health and preventing the circulation of measles viruses in the country. Public Health said that the government country has more than 1,400 vaccination posts distributed nationwide, offering all the vaccines of the official scheme free of charge. These immunizations are available as a tool to prevent disease.

The country’s measles vaccines are available in two doses: the first at 12 months of age, along with rubella and mumps vaccines, and the second booster dose at 18 months. The entity highlights the importance of children at this age receiving their vaccines according to the established schedule.

Primary Care

Vaccination corresponds to Primary Care, so vaccination posts are located in the First Level Care Centers (CPNA), diagnostic centers, Children’s Hospitals, maternity hospitals, subcenters, Primary Care Units (UNAP), dispensaries, medical offices, the Health City, the Plaza de la Salud General Hospital, some private clinics, Profamilia, and the Santo Domingo Health Center.

In response to the call of the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen prevention measures due to the increase in measles cases in the region, the ministry has intensified epidemiological surveillance in ports  and airports

San Pedro De Macori—Faced with the concern of citizens who fear the appearance of cases of measles in the country, Dr. Goldny Mills, professor of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the Central University of the East (UCE), said that since 2001, there have been no cases of the disease, and in 2010, the Dominican Republic was declared free of measles, which is highly contagious.

He understands that the population must catch up with the vaccines of our children and thus avoid the appearance of cases and possible outbreaks of measles, since on January 29 of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned about the increase in cases of measles on a global scale and the occurrence of imported cases in the countries of the Americas.

He indicated that this 2024 report suggests that more than half of the world’s countries are at high risk from a measles outbreak. He warned that the children most at risk are those under five years of age and those over one year old who do not have complete vaccinations, so they must be vaccinated.

Dr. Mills, former Provincial Director of Health in San Pedro de Macorís and teacher of the department of students called (Pollitos) of the UCE, who work all year round bringing prevention of epidemiological diseases to neighborhoods, fields and bateyes of the province, called on the population not to neglect the vaccines of their children.

He said that the country’s primary focus is for parents and guardians to review their children’s vaccination cards and ensure that every child over five has at least two doses of the MMR vaccine.

The epidemiologist said that measles is a highly contagious and potentially serious disease caused by a virus, specifically paramyxoviruses, which affects children who do not have an up-to-date vaccination schedule.

In the Dominican Republic, water scarcity and poor water management increase vulnerability to extreme events, affecting more than 30% of the population. The information is in bulletin number 39, issued by the General Directorate of Epidemiology.

According to the official document, the most significant challenges are modernizing water infrastructure and wastewater treatment and improving the efficiency of irrigation and distribution systems.

Vector diseases related to water, sanitation, and hygiene include dengue, arboviral diseases, and lymphatic filariasis, transmitted by mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Culex, as well as schistosomiasis, which involves snails, says the Public Health Agency in the report. Urbanization, poor water management, and climate change favor its spread. Dengue has increased significantly, affecting half of the world’s population. Urban conditions with inadequate water and sanitation services allow mosquitoes to proliferate in reservoirs. To control these diseases, it is essential to improve access to water, properly manage waste, and adopt an integrated approach that considers vector management and the environment, the Ministry of Public Health says in the text. The minister’s editorial is dedicated to water.

Transmissible

During week 39, 70 suspected cases of dengue were reported. Of these, 10% are laboratory-confirmed, and 45.7% (32) are pending confirmation. According to place of residence, the confirmed cases are distributed among the provinces of Duarte, with 70% of the confirmed cases, Monseñor Nouel, and Santiago Rodríguez, with 14% each.

So far this year, 1,161 of the 9,527 suspected cases have been confirmed. The cumulative incidence of confirmed cases is 1,450 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Leptospirosis

This disease transmitted by the leptospira bacterium has registered 32 deaths to date. According to information from the General Directorate of Epidemiology, 413 people are affected.

National Territory – Extreme conditions such as heat and cold have a close relationship with cardiovascular conditions. The heart has to increase its work, and the heart rate increases, says Dr. Halley Moya, a cardiologist. The professional assures that the heart makes efforts to compensate for the imbalance produced by heat or cold.

She explains that regulating the organism’s thermoregulation is necessary, which is what the heart is exposed to.

Of high importance

“The heart is forced in excessive heat to be able to supply the sweat glands; they are in charge of us sweating as a way to release heat,” said Moya.” When there is excessive heat, such as the current one, systemic vasodilatation occurs, which increases blood circulation,” the cardiologist reported. In the season of high temperatures, such as in the Caribbean, the cardiovascular system is the most affected due to dehydration, which exacerbates some cardiac pathologies, the physician said.

The cardiology professional said that if there is a high level of dehydration, people’s blood vessels thicken, which increases the risk of thrombotic events.

Recommendations

The health professional recommends maintaining good hydration. Consuming cold liquids at room temperature is of high importance, Dr. Moya assures.

Hydration should be constant. Do not wait until you are thirsty. If you are healthy, drink between two and three liters of water throughout the day. Patients with heart failure should consult their treating physician to establish a hydration pattern based on their disease.

Sun exposure

The professional recommends avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours, ideally exercising in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays fall tangentially on the earth.

Cool clothing

It is essential to wear light-textured clothing that transpires to release heat. Hats, caps, or scarves are also necessary since one percent of the liquid lost through the head coincides with this.

Deaths

Most of the deaths that occur during the hot summer season are of cardiovascular origin, and there is an increase in strokes and heart attacks, she explains.

The health professional assures that this can be explained by systemic vasodilatation, which leads to a greater concentration of blood, which serves as an anatomical substrate for the formation of blood clots.

Dehydration, which can exacerbate some cardiac pathologies, most affects the cardiovascular system during the hot season.

Santo Domingo – An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus is affecting the Dominican population, especially young children, the elderly, and people with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. This highly aggressive virus could cause hospitalizations in the most vulnerable groups.

This was reported to Diario Libre by Dr. Madelin Ventura Portorreal, perinatologist pediatrician, and clinical nutritionist, who has urged the population to take extreme precautions.

“It is essential to wear masks in public spaces, wash your hands frequently, and gargle with salt water when leaving and returning home,” she said. She also recommended avoiding touching your face with dirty hands and using disinfectant gel in the street.

To detect the virus, Portorreal suggested performing a short respiratory panel, which identifies syncytial viruses, COVID-19 and influenza A and B, available in clinical study laboratories. She explained that tests must be done within the first five days of respiratory symptoms.

Finally, the doctor asked not to send children with respiratory symptoms to schools to prevent contagion. “Prevention is key,” concluded Ventura Portorreal.