On Monday, 16 October, the vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19 began in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, with the second phase starting on the 30th. The Ministry of Health is continuing this preventive process for the third consecutive year with the aim of “protecting the population”, as they noted in a statement. This year, however, the program takes on some new features.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent many diseases and infections, which are particularly complicated for vulnerable groups with weaker immune systems. The Madrid community is therefore prioritizing the elderly and the professionals who care for them at the start of the flu vaccination campaign and Covid-19 booster doses. Therefore, on October 16, the vaccination campaign began targeting people over 65 years old, institutional and health or social hygiene staff, who receive the vaccine in the region’s public primary care network, nursing homes and homes for persons with disabilities. Public and private etc.
Starting October 30, free double immunization will continue to be provided to people aged 60 or older and high-risk groups of any age, including pregnant women or those with chronic diseases. According to the instructions of the Madrid Regional Directorate of Public Health, the Madrid region will for the first time vaccinate children between 6 and 59 months (4 years and 11 months) with influenza vaccine (non-coronavirus vaccine). The community that organizes the program.
The Covid-19 booster vaccination for target groups is taking place at the same time as the usual autumn anti-flu campaign. Therefore, due to the synergistic effect of the two vaccines, it is better to receive both vaccines at the same time, since they mainly target the same risk group, that is, those who are most vulnerable to both diseases. As in previous years, influenza immunization activities will continue until January 31, 2024, unless there are changes due to epidemiological issues.
how to apply
People over the age of 65 who wish to be vaccinated in the public primary care network must request an appointment with a nurse, which can be done by phone (select option 3), through the Health Appointment app and at kiosks in centres, selecting the “Anti-Flu” button; Through the Madrid community website or in person at a health center or local clinic. Starting from October 30, in the second phase, all these appointment systems will be launched for other vaccination target groups.
In addition, booster doses against coronavirus and influenza can also be obtained at the Municipal Health Center of the Madrid City Council, the Vaccination Center of the Autonomous Community of Madrid, the Hospital of the Madrid Health Service for high-risk patients and the Occupational Health Center. Services at health centers and other authorized points.
The Official College of Physicians of Madrid can also vaccinate health professionals in both cases. For its part, the Enfermera Isabel Zendal public hospital offers the third booster dose against coronavirus by appointment to social health professionals and mutually beneficial institutions on the Madrid community site.
Combination vaccination (influenza and COVID-19) is recommended for people at higher risk of post-infectious complications or serious illness, people over 60 years old, patients with chronic diseases, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and diabetic patients, morbid obesity and their caregivers, Health and social care workers as well as essential public service workers, firefighters, police officers, etc.
Taking into account that 1,442,180 doses of influenza vaccine were administered last year, the Autonomous Community of Madrid has invested almost 19 million euros in purchasing 1,600,000 doses of influenza vaccine to meet the needs of the groups targeted by this campaign. Specifically, 850,000 doses of adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine have been procured for use in people 65 years of age or older; 750,000 doses of quadrivalent vaccine have been procured for other target groups of the campaign, and 30,000 doses of nasal influenza vaccine have been procured for children. Influenza vaccine. 2019 (4 years old).
Covid-19 vaccinations will be carried out in accordance with international and national recommendations, using vaccines adapted to the new Ómicron variant (XBB1.5). As always, the vaccines are allocated to the Autonomous Community of Madrid by the Ministry of Health.