People over 70 start getting coronavirus and flu vaccines

On Monday, the Department of Health and Consumer Affairs began the second phase of the 2023/2024 influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign that started last week. As a result, people over 70, adults with dangerous medical conditions, highly dependent people and their professional caregivers, and pregnant women will now be able to receive both vaccines. From the same date, children aged 6 to 59 months (inclusive) will also receive the flu vaccine.

The campaign began last week to vaccinate residents of residential aged care and disability centres, the general population aged 85 or over, and staff in health and social care centres, residential and disability centres. Likewise, students on placements in health and social care centres, residential and disability centres, and children aged 6 to 59 months (inclusive) attending calendar vaccine appointments can now receive the flu vaccine.

“We recommend that all target groups be vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 to effectively and safely prevent serious infections with these viruses and avoid hospitalization,” said Elena González, Territorial Representative for Health and Consumer Affairs. “In this sense , he appreciated the responsibility and commitment shown by Andalusians in previous campaigns. In fact, during the last vaccination campaign in 2022/2023, Andalusia saw a record number of vaccinations, with almost 2 million doses administered.

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During this campaign, the Junta Andalusia purchased 7.5% more influenza vaccines than in 2022, totaling 2.2 million doses. This increase is largely attributable to one of the campaign’s most striking innovations: lowering the starting age for adult influenza vaccination, with adults now systematically vaccinated starting at age 60, just like the COVID-19 vaccine. In Jaén, 163,049 doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed.

The next phase will begin on October 30. From then on, people over 60 years of age will receive dual vaccination, and other professional groups such as security forces and institutions, prison institutions, and other professional groups such as veterinarians, farm workers or ranchers will receive influenza vaccination .

The final phase will begin in December, when people aged 60 or older or in high-risk groups in the household will be vaccinated against the flu and coronavirus.

People in the target group can book an appointment through the Salud Responde app or by phone, ClicSalud+ or at their health centre.