One of the main new features this season will be the expansion of childhood vaccination. The flu vaccine will be recommended for all children aged between six months and 11 years, adding new age groups to the target population.
FIRST PHASE: CARE HOMES, PREGNANT WOMEN AND HIGH-RISK PEOPLE
The campaign will begin on September 28 with groups considered a priority. Vaccinations will start that day in care homes for older people and among health and social care workers, as well as pregnant women, people with a high level of dependency and those at very high risk of complications.
The vaccine is also especially recommended for people under 60 with certain diseases or risk conditions. Health authorities include people with cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, morbid obesity, immunosuppression or cancer, among other conditions that can worsen the effects of flu.
Pregnant women may be vaccinated during any trimester of pregnancy and also during the postpartum period. The campaign also includes professionals working in healthcare and social care centers, as well as workers in essential public services, such as police officers, firefighters and Civil Protection personnel.
CHILDREN, FROM OCTOBER 5
The next stage of the schedule will focus on children. Between October 5 and 19, flu vaccinations will be offered at schools participating in the campaign, which this year total 159 centers in Aragon.
From October 19, children will also be able to receive the vaccine at health centers and accredited private centers. That same day, immunization will begin for people over 80 and other patients considered to be at high risk.
For children aged between two and 11, the campaign includes an intranasal vaccine, administered through the nose. For other age groups, different injectable vaccines will be used depending on each patient’s age and characteristics.
THE REMAINING GROUPS, FROM NOVEMBER 3
The final phase of the campaign will begin on November 3. From that date, the remaining groups included in the target population will be able to get vaccinated, including people aged 60 and over and those with risk factors who were not included in the initial phases.
The recommendation also applies to people who live with or care for individuals at high risk of complications, with the aim of reducing transmission to the most vulnerable groups. Nursery and early childhood education center staff are also included.
In total, Aragon has purchased 445,000 flu vaccines for this campaign, with an investment of 4.5 million euros. Appointments will generally be managed through the self-booking system in the Salud Informa app, which will be enabled before the start of each group.
