The short version
- The San Juan Daily Star reported that 15,254 influenza cases and 165 school outbreaks have been recorded from June to October 2026
- According to the Department of Health 718 cases were reported in the week ending Oct 31 the San Juan Daily Star reported
- Only about 288,254 people or 9 percent of the population have been vaccinated so far the San Juan Daily Star reported
- Community pharmacists can administer the flu vaccine without a prescription to people age 3 and older Metro Puerto Rico reported
Rising cases prompt vaccination call
Puerto Rico health authorities are urging residents to get vaccinated against influenza as cases continue to increase. The Asociación de Farmacias de Comunidad de Puerto Rico (AFCPR) released Department of Health data on Wednesday showing 15,254 cases and 165 outbreaks in educational institutions between June and October 2026. The San Juan Daily Star reported
AFCPR first vice president Edna López stated that vaccination is recommended as a preventive measure even though the island is not at epidemic alert levels. The outbreaks in schools are defined as centers with three or more positive cases or infections in at least 10 percent of students in a classroom. During the week ending Oct. 31, 718 cases were notified. Metro Puerto Rico reported
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What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Aunque no estamos en el umbral de aviso epidémico, es importante vacunarse para reducir el riesgo de enfermarse y la gravedad del contagio
Our translation: Although we are not at the epidemic alert threshold, it is important to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of getting sick and the severity of the contagion
The source's own statement, as quoted by The San Juan Daily Star. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Vaccination rates lag behind previous season
As of now approximately 288,254 people have received the influenza vaccine which represents about 9 percent of the island's estimated population of 3,221,789. López noted that vaccination must be done annually because the virus changes and immunity decreases over time. She warned that influenza can complicate with COVID-19, mycoplasma and other respiratory conditions. The San Juan Daily Star reported
Groups at higher risk for complications include immunocompromised people, pregnant women, those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, minors and older adults. Certified community pharmacists can administer the flu vaccine without a prescription to individuals from age 3 onward. They are also authorized to give the COVID-19 vaccine to minors from that age though the association recommends consulting a pediatrician. Metro Puerto Rico reported
Where the sources differ
Both sources agree on the total of 15,254 influenza cases, 165 school outbreaks, 718 cases in the final week of October, the vaccination total of 288,254 people representing 9 percent of the population, the comparison to more than 426,000 doses administered by late February in the 2025-2026 season, the annual nature of vaccination, risk groups, symptoms and the ability of community pharmacists to administer vaccines without a prescription from age 3. The San Juan Daily Star published on Nov. 12 while Metro Puerto Rico published on Nov. 11; the latter additionally notes the upcoming holiday season and recommends at-home testing, seeing a doctor and staying home if symptomatic.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not provide the current season's vaccination target or a specific goal for coverage. They do not state how many doses were administered by the same point in the 2025-2026 season or whether the Department of Health has declared any level of alert. The articles do not detail planned government vaccination campaigns or current hospitalization or death figures linked to influenza.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Official Exhortan a la vacunación contra la influenza
- Reporting Exhortan a la vacunación contra la influenza
- Reporting Exhortan a vacunarse contra la influenza ante aumento de casos en Puerto Rico
How we checked this
The San Juan Daily Star and Metro Puerto Rico both drew directly from the same AFCPR written release of Department of Health surveillance data and from statements by Edna López. All case counts, vaccination figures and risk-group information rest on the Department of Health data as presented by the AFCPR.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.
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