Flu and COVID-19 vaccination is now under way in the Valencia region for groups at greater risk of complications. The rollout does not open to everyone at once. Health authorities began in residential and disability care settings, expanded eligibility on 5 October and plan to open vaccination to the general population during November.
Local health centres are the main vaccination points. Hospital clinics, preventive medicine units, workplace health teams and social care facilities also take part depending on the group concerned. Appointment arrangements may differ between health departments, so patients should use the usual contact channels for their assigned centre.
Flu vaccination from 60; COVID priority from 70
Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 60 and over. COVID-19 vaccination gives priority to people aged 70 and over, as well as residents of institutions and patients with immunosuppression or conditions that increase the risk of severe illness. Pregnant women may receive both vaccines in any trimester.
Depending on the vaccine, eligible groups also include people with diabetes, severe obesity and specified chronic kidney, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological or liver conditions. The official protocol covers cancer, blood disorders, asplenia, serious neuromuscular disease, Down syndrome and other clinical circumstances.
When several vaccines are indicated, the regional health authority recommends giving them during the same visit. Coadministration does not reduce protection and avoids extra journeys. Individual advice still depends on age, medical history and current health, rather than a general list alone.
Children follow a separate route
Flu vaccination is recommended for children aged 6 to 71 months. Schools offer the nasal vaccine to pupils born in 2021, 2022 and 2023 in the second stage of preschool education, unless a contraindication makes an injected vaccine preferable. Children outside the school programme can receive it at their health centre.
The wider campaign also includes protection against respiratory syncytial virus for infants and certain high-risk groups. This is not the same intervention as flu or COVID vaccination, even though it forms part of the same autumn and winter strategy.
People outside the priority groups must wait for the general rollout planned during November. Exact dates and appointment systems may be set locally. This article should be updated when the general phase opens or if the authority changes eligibility or appointment arrangements.