dates and who can sign up for vaccination

In October, the Community of Madrid will begin simultaneous vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 (booster vaccination) in health centers, hospitals and nursing homes, as well as other authorized locations. Here we explain how long the campaign lasts and who can receive a dose.

When will the vaccine be administered?

The new campaign will last from October 7 to January 31, unless an extension is necessary for epidemiological reasons. The main focus will be on dual protection of people over 60 years of age and risk groups of any age, such as chronically ill people and pregnant women, the regional executive said.

Of course, the time will vary depending on the group you belong to. During the first two weeks of the campaign (until October 18), only people aged 60 years and older and from 6 to 59 months (up to 4 years) will be vaccinated. Meanwhile, starting October 21, the remaining groups can be vaccinated.

Who can get the flu vaccine

The Ministry of Health recommends vaccination especially for risk groups, such as people over 60 years of age or people with chronic diseases, as well as pregnant women in any trimester of pregnancy and employees of state security forces, firefighters or civil protection. services.

For the second year in a row, the Ministry of Health in the region recommends that children aged 6 months to 5 years be vaccinated against influenza. For influenza, the regional executive committee purchased more than 1.5 million doses, including 75 thousand intranasal doses for children from 2 to 4 years old.

How to sign up for a flu shot

Vaccination appointments will be one-time, be it for influenza, COVID-19 or both, and can be requested over the phone at primary health centers, in person at offices or health centers, or through an app or website.

Possible side effects of the vaccine

The flu vaccine may cause certain side effects. The most common are local inflammation, pain or redness at the injection site, but other unwanted effects may include headaches, sweating, fever, decreased appetite, nasal congestion or general malaise. Although not mandatory, it is recommended to notify the Spanish Medicines and Health Products Agency of such reactions.

What is seasonal flu and what are its symptoms?

Seasonal influenza is a contagious disease caused by the influenza virus. This pathogen causes an acute respiratory tract infection, which can result in a mild illness or a severe and even fatal illness. As the name suggests, it is seasonal as it occurs in epidemic waves and is especially common during the winter months. For this reason, immunization campaigns are carried out earlier than these dates.

Its main symptoms are usually general malaise, severe headache, muscle pain, fever, cough, runny nose, sneezing and eye irritation. These same symptoms may worsen, especially in at-risk groups.

How the flu spreads

The flu is spread from person to person through tiny droplets of saliva that can come out of the nose and mouth when talking, coughing and sneezing, as well as from contaminated surfaces. This is why preventive measures such as hand washing or proper mask use are important, especially among populations with immune system problems.

New vaccines for little ones

In turn, as established by the immunization and immunization calendar, from October 1, for the first time in the region, all infants will be protected from rotavirus. This first campaign will target those born after August 1st. It will be administered orally by healthcare workers in the first level health facilities of the Madrid Public Health System and in other authorized centers.

This measure cost the Community $19.2 million over the next three years. The goal is to prevent serious illness and hospitalization in the first months of life, since rotavirus is the leading cause of severe childhood diarrhea worldwide and affects almost all children under 5 years of age, especially during the first two years.

Added to all this is immunization against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes, among other infections, bronchiolitis. The campaign, which will also begin on October 1 next year, will protect 50,000 babies. Last year, the Community of Madrid was one of the first regions to implement this preventive measure, administering 44,116 doses and reaching 87% of the target population.

Compared to the previous season, RSV infections were down 65%, with a more than 90% reduction in hospitalizations for patients under 1 year of age. Vaccination against bronchiolitis will require an appointment at nine public hospitals: October 12, Infantil Niño Jesús, Gregorio Marañon and La Paz in the capital; Iron Gate-Majadahonda; Southeast, in Arganda del Rey; Mostoles; Infanta Cristina de Parla and Henares in Coslada.