Galicia, Catalonia, Andalusia, Bascadia and Murcia launched their autumn vaccination campaigns against respiratory infections this week. Preventative measures against both Covid-19 and influenza will once again be offered to older and at-risk groups, and babies will be vaccinated against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for the first time. As far as Asturias is concerned, it is almost certain that piercings will begin in nursing homes next Monday, October 2, and in the general population a week later, on Monday, October 9.
Immunization of infants against respiratory syncytial virus is one of the novelties of this season, with the children’s calendar also introducing the childhood flu vaccine and the adult calendar listing smokers as a high-risk group for influenza.
Regarding Covid-19, the target group has been identified and will use Pfizer’s serum updated to the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, the first doses of which have been distributed by the Ministry of Health. It is expected that as the campaign progresses, availability will increase and other adapted products will be included, such as those from Moderna that are already approved in the EU. The health department is also distributing 3.2 million doses of the vaccine it received from Hipra, which unlike previous vaccines is a protein vaccine restricted to those with contraindications for messenger RNA vaccines.
This way, the groups defined by the Public Health Commission in the document “Influenza and Covid-19 Season Vaccination Recommendations” will receive both covid and influenza vaccinations for the third consecutive year – which can overlap with other groups. 2023 -2024 in Spain”. In view of the greater risk of serious illness, double vaccination is suitable for people over 60 years of age, prisoners in disability centers and residences and people with certain pre-existing conditions. It is also recommended for public and private health and Workers in social health centers and institutions, as well as workers in essential public services, avoid having an impact on the system.
In addition to combination therapy, in addition to children 5 to 59 months of age, influenza testing is also recommended for persons 5 to 59 years of age who are at increased risk of complications: patients 5 to 18 years of age receiving long-term acetylsalicylic acid therapy – e.g. Likelihood of Reye’s syndrome and smokers.