A rise in Covid-19 cases in recent weeks has prompted Spain to start a combined vaccination campaign against influenza and Covid-19.
According to the latest report from the Surveillance System for Acute Respiratory Infections (SiVIRA), COVID-19 infection rates in primary care are 137.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants Last week, between June 26 and July 2, the number of cases reached only 30.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, a decrease of 4.6 times.
also, The hospitalization rate for people over 60 years old reached 10.4 cases per 100,000 residentsfor people over 79, that number is almost multiplied by six.
Armed with these data, the Public Health Council representing all autonomous regions and the Ministry of Health agreed last Tuesday to move forward with the 2023-24 influenza and coronavirus vaccination campaign in the last week of September. specific, It will begin the week of September 25th and will be available throughout the month of October.
Who must be vaccinated?
This year, flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be given to high-risk groups at the same time, a practice that, according to numerous scientific studies, Enhances both immunity effects.
Health advice on vaccinations Over 60 years old; people from More than 5 years working in residential and disability centers or being institutionalized and living in a closed institution for a long period of time; People under 60 are at risk -Such as diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, etc.-, pregnantWomen during any trimester of pregnancy and the puerperium Immunosuppressed cohabitant.
also for him Health and social care center staff Public and private (except for students who are recommended to get only the flu vaccine) and essential public service workers. As a novelty of the proposal approved in July, health facility staffsuch as a pharmacy.
In addition to the groups mentioned, Flu vaccination is also recommended for people ages 5 to 59 who are at higher risk for complications. – Persons between 5 and 18 years old Long-term acetylsalicylic acid treatment and smokers– Students doing internships in health and social hygiene centers and persons who have direct occupational contact with animals on poultry, pig or mink farms or farms or wild animals or their secretions.
Also available for children aged 6 to 59 months, this season’s children’s calendar adds the pediatric influenza and RSV monoclonal antibody nirsevimab.
What vaccine will be used?
COVID-19 vaccines administered during the 2023/24 campaign will be “priority” Those that adapt to new variants. In Europe, there are only Pfizer, as. .and be known Commercial Omicron XBB.1.5has received support from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the European Commission.
In addition, there are other drug candidates: Moderna, which is already authorized in the United States, and Novavax, which, unlike the first two, is not messenger RNA.