When, where and how to get the flu vaccine and Covid booster in Spain
The winter season is now in full swing and so too unfortunately the flu, with spikes in respiratory infections across the country. Here’s who can get the flu vaccine and Covid boosters in Spain as well as when, where and how to get them.
The Ministry of Health has reported a rise in flu, Covid and bronchitis infections over the 2023-2204 winter season, which has been putting an enormous strain on hospitals across the country. According to health services, there are 35 percent more cases of these infections than this time last year.
This means it's important to be prepared, particularly if you fall into a high-risk category.
According to Spain’s Health Ministry, the flu virus infects between 5 and 20 percent of the population each year and around 300,000 to 500,000 people die from flu each year worldwide.
The Ministry warns that it is especially dangerous if contracted at the same time as Covid-19, which is still circulating.
READ ALSO: How to apply for a public health card in Spain
Who can get the flu vaccine and Covid booster?
The winter vaccination campaign began on October 15th 2023 and ends on January 31st 2024. The Ministry of Health has set out several guidelines as to who should receive the flu shot and Covid season. These include:
- Those aged 60 and above.
- People aged 5 years or older who live in disability centers and nursing homes.
- People aged 5 to 59 who are at higher risk of complications from the flu and Covid. This includes those with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological or respiratory, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma.
- Immuno-surpressed people and those that suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, chronic inflammation, cancer and blood diseases.
- Morbidly obese people.
- Pregnant women in any trimester and postpartum up to six months after delivery who had not been vaccinated during pregnancy.
- Babies and children between six months and two years old who were born prematurely before 32 weeks.
- Those who can pass on the flu to those at risk such as those who work in hospitals, care homes, pharmacies etc.
- Those who work in emergency services such as paramedics and firefighters.
- People who work with animals.
The objectives for the 2023-2024 season are to vaccinate 75 percent of the elderly aged 65 and above and healthcare staff and 60 percent of pregnant women and people with risk conditions.
The vaccine campaign and dates may vary slightly depending on the region you live in, in Spain, so it's important to contact your local health centre to find out.
READ ALSO: Respiratory infections soar in Spain over Christmas as hospitals struggle
Where and how can I get vaccinated?
If you fall into one of the above categories, you can request your vaccination from your local health centre or clinic, public and private hospitals, community vaccination centre and institutions such as care homes.
You will typically be able to request the jab either by logging on to your region’s health system online and booking an appointment or by calling up and booking one that way.
In some regions, you may also be able to get vaccinated at certain pharmacies. Some pharmacies in Galicia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, the Basque Country and Catalonia will be administering the vaccine to those who are in one of the above vulnerable categories.
What if I don’t fall into an at-risk category, but I still want the vaccine?
You’re not guaranteed to be able to get the flu vaccine if you’re not vulnerable to the virus, but if you really want one, there may be a way.
For example last year in Catalonia, the health authorities announced two months after the flu vaccination campaign that there are still vaccines left, you can request one.
What is the effectiveness of the flu vaccine?
According to Spain's Ministry of Health, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is between 40 and 60 percent, although it can vary depending on the circulating strains, previous vaccinations and other factors.
When it comes to the Covid booster, although it may not prevent you from contracting the infection, health professionals say that it can dramatically reduce the symptoms.
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The Ministry of Health has reported a rise in flu, Covid and bronchitis infections over the 2023-2204 winter season, which has been putting an enormous strain on hospitals across the country. According to health services, there are 35 percent more cases of these infections than this time last year.
This means it's important to be prepared, particularly if you fall into a high-risk category.
According to Spain’s Health Ministry, the flu virus infects between 5 and 20 percent of the population each year and around 300,000 to 500,000 people die from flu each year worldwide.
The Ministry warns that it is especially dangerous if contracted at the same time as Covid-19, which is still circulating.
READ ALSO: How to apply for a public health card in Spain
Who can get the flu vaccine and Covid booster?
The winter vaccination campaign began on October 15th 2023 and ends on January 31st 2024. The Ministry of Health has set out several guidelines as to who should receive the flu shot and Covid season. These include:
- Those aged 60 and above.
- People aged 5 years or older who live in disability centers and nursing homes.
- People aged 5 to 59 who are at higher risk of complications from the flu and Covid. This includes those with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, neurological or respiratory, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cystic fibrosis and asthma.
- Immuno-surpressed people and those that suffer from illnesses such as diabetes, chronic inflammation, cancer and blood diseases.
- Morbidly obese people.
- Pregnant women in any trimester and postpartum up to six months after delivery who had not been vaccinated during pregnancy.
- Babies and children between six months and two years old who were born prematurely before 32 weeks.
- Those who can pass on the flu to those at risk such as those who work in hospitals, care homes, pharmacies etc.
- Those who work in emergency services such as paramedics and firefighters.
- People who work with animals.
The objectives for the 2023-2024 season are to vaccinate 75 percent of the elderly aged 65 and above and healthcare staff and 60 percent of pregnant women and people with risk conditions.
The vaccine campaign and dates may vary slightly depending on the region you live in, in Spain, so it's important to contact your local health centre to find out.
READ ALSO: Respiratory infections soar in Spain over Christmas as hospitals struggle
Where and how can I get vaccinated?
If you fall into one of the above categories, you can request your vaccination from your local health centre or clinic, public and private hospitals, community vaccination centre and institutions such as care homes.
You will typically be able to request the jab either by logging on to your region’s health system online and booking an appointment or by calling up and booking one that way.
In some regions, you may also be able to get vaccinated at certain pharmacies. Some pharmacies in Galicia, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, the Basque Country and Catalonia will be administering the vaccine to those who are in one of the above vulnerable categories.
What if I don’t fall into an at-risk category, but I still want the vaccine?
You’re not guaranteed to be able to get the flu vaccine if you’re not vulnerable to the virus, but if you really want one, there may be a way.
For example last year in Catalonia, the health authorities announced two months after the flu vaccination campaign that there are still vaccines left, you can request one.
What is the effectiveness of the flu vaccine?
According to Spain's Ministry of Health, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is between 40 and 60 percent, although it can vary depending on the circulating strains, previous vaccinations and other factors.
When it comes to the Covid booster, although it may not prevent you from contracting the infection, health professionals say that it can dramatically reduce the symptoms.
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