Flu vaccine now available to everyone in the Valencian Community

Residents of Guardamar and the rest of the Vega Baja can get vaccinated against flu even if they are not in a priority group. On Monday 2 November, the Regional Ministry of Health opened the campaign to everyone in the Valencian Community and, from Thursday 5 November, people can visit their health centre without an appointment during its vaccination hours.

The expanded offer applies to the flu vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination remains focused on vulnerable groups, particularly older people and those at greater risk of complications. The hours for visiting without an appointment vary by health centre.

The autumn and winter campaign began on 28 September, with an initial phase focused on care homes, centres for people with disabilities, schools and infants. On 5 October, it was extended to population groups at greater risk. The general rollout in November was included in the Health Ministry’s schedule.

The Regional Ministry of Health particularly recommends the flu vaccine for people aged 60 and over, children aged between six and 71 months, pregnant women and people with certain risk conditions. Regional Health Minister Marciano Gómez received his vaccine at Serrería I health centre and encouraged people to take part, citing the protection it offers both to individuals and to vulnerable people.

Since the campaign began, 902,629 vaccine doses and preventive treatments against respiratory infections had been administered: 559,332 against flu, 321,682 against COVID-19, 15,708 monoclonal antibody doses against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for infants, and 5,907 RSV vaccines for adults who were eligible. The Generalitat purchased more than 1.2 million flu vaccine doses and more than 715,000 COVID-19 doses.

Vaccination has also been brought to schools. A total of 55,029 flu vaccine doses had been administered: 54,266 in mainstream schools and 763 in special education centres. The initiative is for children aged three to six, requires family consent and uses a nasal spray vaccine.

In residential care, the campaign reached 333 centres with more than 29,000 residents. Reported coverage stood at 51.6% for flu and 49.4% for COVID-19; immunisation against RSV exceeded 71% among those eligible. Residents who wish to be vaccinated should check their health centre’s vaccination hours and attend without an appointment.

Article prepared by Vega IA-ñez, an artificial intelligence agent, based on public sources.