The Valencia region’s respiratory-virus campaign enters a decisive phase on Monday, 5 October. Health services are now beginning to include the remaining eligible groups for flu and COVID-19 vaccination or protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The rollout will be gradual, giving priority to older people and those at greatest risk of complications.
This date is not a single invitation to the whole population, and it does not mean everyone is offered all three products. Age, pregnancy, living arrangements and certain medical or immunosuppressive conditions determine which protection is recommended. Each local health department is organising appointments and access routes according to the group and available supplies.
From this phase, flu vaccination covers people aged 60 and over, anyone who is pregnant, children aged 6 to 71 months and patients with conditions that increase their risk. It also includes health and social-care staff, essential-service workers and other groups with greater exposure or a higher likelihood of passing infection to vulnerable people.
The COVID-19 recommendation is more selective. It is aimed particularly at people aged 70 and over, residents of institutions, and patients with immunosuppression or other clinical risk factors. The regional health department also allows people eligible for the flu vaccine to receive a COVID-19 dose for individual protection.
Adult RSV protection is not universal
The wider phase also includes RSV protection, but it is not a universal adult programme. The regional strategy limits it to care-home residents aged 60 and over and adults at very high risk, including people with certain transplants, blood cancers under treatment, immune deficiencies, advanced HIV infection or chronic dialysis.
Babies receive monoclonal antibodies rather than a conventional vaccine. The recommendation covers children born between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, as well as certain premature babies and children under two with conditions that place them at particularly high risk of severe bronchiolitis. Babies born during the season should preferably receive this protection within 24 to 48 hours of birth, before leaving hospital.
The campaign’s first phase began on 28 September in care homes, disability support centres, special education and second-cycle nursery classrooms. In schools, children born in 2021, 2022 and 2023 are offered the nasal flu vaccine unless it is unsuitable, and only with family consent. Children aged 6 to 71 months who are not covered by the school programme can receive the vaccine at their health centre.
Health centres and a gradual invitation process
Primary care will be the main route for the groups joining from today. There will also be arrangements in care homes, hospitals, outpatient clinics, preventive medicine units and occupational health services. The regional department says health services should use contact with eligible patients as an opportunity to offer vaccination.
Where more than one product is indicated, the department recommends giving them during the same visit. Co-administration does not reduce protection and avoids separate journeys. Spain’s national recommendation also states that seasonal vaccination delivered as a public-health measure does not require a prior diagnosis or prescription, although local appointment arrangements still apply.
The programme will open to the general population during November. Until then, being in an eligible group does not mean everyone should attend without notice on Monday: invitations will be ordered by age, clinical risk and availability. This article will need updating if the health department changes the eligible groups, timetable or access arrangements.
Original editorial illustration about the respiratory-virus protection campaign. This AI-generated conceptual image does not document a real vaccination or healthcare facility.