Starting this Monday, the fifth dose of the coronavirus vaccine will be administered in Almeria together with the flu vaccine

In the 2023-24 season, a combined coronavirus and flu vaccine will be offered to the over-60s, meaning a drop in this age group compared to the previous campaign. The campaign will start on Monday 9 October for the over-85s, care home users and people with disabilities, as well as health and social care staff. The remaining target groups will be gradually vaccinated before December, according to reports from the Andalusian Vaccination Program (Andavac).

Among the most notable of these novelties is a new antiviral drug called Comirnaty Ómicron XBB.1.5. Pfizer/BioNTech has adapted it for use in the variant known as Kraken, which is currently the most dominant variant in Europe. For people aged 16 or older with contraindications to the messenger RNA vaccine, Bimervax from Spanish multinational Hipra will be administered.

Total population

From October 16, the general population over the age of 70 is called; pregnant; extended family members and their usual caregivers; children six months or older and adults at risk – due to certain medical conditions. Become a vulnerable group.

Regarding the infant flu dose (introduced for the first time at the last event), this includes groups of children aged 6 to 59 months. “This vaccination has proven to be highly effective in Andalusia, preventing severe cases of influenza in vaccinated boys and girls during the 2022-23 season,” Andavac said.

From October 30, double-dose vaccination will be available to the general population over the age of 60; personnel from penitentiary institutions, state security forces and corps, firefighters and civil protection services. Starting in December, it will be the turn of people with chronic illnesses and cohabitants of pregnant women, depending on the availability of doses.

Likewise, it should be noted that new indications for influenza vaccination are emerging. It is recommended for the first time for smokers (will start in December), and for those with direct occupational contact with animals, such as ranchers, veterinarians, farm workers or hunters (in this case, it will be implemented from December 30). ).

Appointment request

Starting today, vaccination teams from the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) will go to residential centers for the elderly and disabled to vaccinate prisoners, so no appointment is required. From October 16, they will also go to the homes of highly dependent people.

After that, an appointment is required. Gradually, for those who require influenza and/or covid-19 vaccination according to their age, it will be possible to make a request through the usual channels: ClicSalud+ website, Salud Andalucía app, Salud Responde app, by phone ( Salud Responde ) or by contacting you health center.

During the campaign, people who do not fall into the so-called target groups will not be vaccinated regardless of their vaccination status or infection history. People who request it after a personalized assessment can receive the vaccine outside of the event.

The Ministry of Health plans to administer 2.2 million doses of influenza vaccine and novel coronavirus vaccine. Andalusia’s vaccination plan recalled that vaccination is “strongly recommended” for all target groups, as past safety measures, such as masks and social distancing, are no longer suitable.