Free Vaccination against Flu and Covid-19 extended to people aged 50-57 years

 

Free seasonal vaccination against flu and Covid-19 will be extended to the population aged between 50 and 59 from Tuesday, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) announced today.

People between 50 and 59 years old “can schedule from December 17, 2024 [Tuesday] the vaccination against flu and against covid-19 in a health unit of the National Health Service or in participating community pharmacies”, said the DGS in a statement.

The extension to this age group “is taking place in light of the progress of the current vaccination campaign and the availability of vaccines”, said the DGS, highlighting that, to optimise individual and collective protection, scheduling should preferably be done before the Christmas and New Year festive period.

The vaccination of people aged 60 or over, people with comorbidities, health professionals and other risk groups remains a priority, the statement added.

With the approach of winter, the period of greatest circulation of respiratory viruses, the DGS appealed to eligible groups to get vaccinated, “especially with the approach of the Christmas festivities, moments of family gatherings and with friends”.

According to the latest data from the DGS, between September 20, when the current vaccination campaign began, and December 8, 1,467,039 people were vaccinated with the seasonal booster against covid-19 and 2,207,428 people against the flu.

The autumn-winter seasonal vaccination campaign is taking place at more than 3,500 vaccination points across the country, with the priority being to protect the most vulnerable people, preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death.

The on-line scheduling will be updated so to schedule a vaccination it is best at present to visit at a community Farmácia.