Spain gears up for the holiday season – influenza and COVID-19 vaccination underway

21 December 2022

Nestled on Spain’s western Mediterranean coastline, on the Costa del Sol (the “Sun Coast”), Málaga boasts sunny weather, many museums (including 2 dedicated to Pablo Picasso, who was born in this city), good food and a rich history. The Andalusian city is one of Europe’s oldest.

The Malagueños – the people of Málaga – have a long list of things to be proud of, no doubt. This year, Andalusia’s health authorities are set to add one more thing to this list: the 2022–2023 influenza vaccination campaign.

With the slogan – “We have a lot to be proud of. Let’s make the influenza vaccination one of them. This year more than ever, get vaccinated!” – the influenza vaccination campaign kicked off at the beginning of October.

On a sunny day at the end of November, WHO/Europe spoke to health workers and patients at the Centro de salud Limonar (Limonar Health Centre) to find out how the influenza campaign is going, how it might be different from previous years and what their hopes are for this holiday season.

 

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View from the street of the Limonar Health Centre, on the right

The Limonar Health Centre is perched on a hilly, tree-lined residential street in Málaga’s eastern suburb. Although it is warm today, autumn has set in, no doubt – rust-coloured leaves crackle under our shoes.

 

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Entrance of the Limonar Health Centre

At just past 11:00, the Centre is buzzing. Influenza vaccinations are done by appointment, and the Centre sees hundreds of people every day; mostly older people, and people with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung disease, but also children.

People wear masks in the Centre to protect themselves and those around them from influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

 

A nurse prepares to administer an influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 booster, two plasters ready to be placed on the patient’s arms

The Centre offers both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. About 150 people get vaccinated every day, and the vast majority get both vaccines.

“In previous years, the COVID-19 vaccine was a priority…. Now, I think, in general, people have much more trust in vaccines. Many people at the Centre are asking to get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza. People trust the vaccines,” says the Centre’s Director, Dr Sylvia Hazañas Ruiz.

 

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Dr Sylvia Hazañas Ruiz, the Director of the Limonar Health Centre

Dr Hazañas Ruiz radiates warmth and confidence, and her “let’s just get things done” attitude seems to rub off on her staff.

“I was the first to get the COVID-19 vaccine in the Centre, and the first to get the fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose. And this year, I was the first to get vaccinated against influenza. I wanted to set an example to my staff. They all followed suit. They are all vaccinated…. I felt okay after the vaccines. And I’ve never caught COVID-19,” says Dr Hazañas Ruiz.

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Nurse Tamara Aguilar outside the vaccination area

The Centre closes late in the afternoon to give more time for people to get their influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

But the health workers are doing more than just offering vaccines to those who come to the Centre. They also go to day centres where there are people with disabilities who cannot make it to the Centre.

“There are 2 of us going with all the vaccine equipment and the computer to register those who get vaccinated, and we offer people at the day centres the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines,” says Tamara Aguilar, a nurse from the Centre.

“The truth is, it is very rewarding to go directly to these places where there are people with difficulties who need us,” adds Ms Aguilar.

 

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Antonio Perez Ciezar is getting his fourth COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine at the same time, at the Centre

“I get the influenza vaccine every year…. Vaccination is important for our safety in view of the pandemic we have been living through. Our doctor recommended us to get the COVID-19 vaccines. I really think that vaccination is good for everyone’s well-being…. I haven’t had COVID-19,” says Antonio Perez Ciezar, adding that his wife also hasn’t had COVID-19, and they have been getting their influenza vaccines for years.

As a precaution, he says, they always take masks with them, and put them on in places where there are a lot of people.

 

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Antonio Perez Ciezar and his wife, Dulce Garcia Alvarez-Rementerib

Mr Perez Ciezar and his wife, Dulce Garcia Alvarez-Rementerib, both just vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, proudly pose for a photo as they leave the Centre.

“I have 9 grandchildren. Being in good health means being able to spend time with them, and with my whole family. We are getting older, but we keep going,” says Mr Perez Ciezar.

 

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Juan Manuel Nadales Lupianez waits for his vaccination

“Getting vaccinated is important for me as I’m at risk. I had a heart attack 12 years ago. So, I get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and influenza. I’ve been getting the influenza vaccine for about 30 years. I keep getting vaccinated as it gives me a sense of security. Even if I get the flu, it’s nothing serious. And when I got infected with COVID-19, it only lasted for a few days, and I barely noticed it. If I hadn’t had the vaccine, the consequences could have been much worse,” says 72-year-old Juan Manuel Nadales Lupianez.

“I want to be in good health so I can enjoy my retirement. To catch up every day with my friends, and be with my family,” says Mr Nadales Lupianez, who retired a year and a half ago.

“Last year, there was still a lot of fear [because of the COVID-19 pandemic]. This year, I think it’s going to be a good Christmas, spent with family, and enjoying the holidays in a way we couldn’t in the previous years,” concludes Mr Nadales Lupianez.

 

Dolores Ortiz Molina (centre) with nurse Tamara Aguilar and the Centre’s Director, Dr Hazañas Ruiz

Dolores Ortiz Molina has just got vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza at the Centre. She showed no fear getting both vaccines and left the Centre in high spirits.

 

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Nurse Marta Gonzales Pereda prepares an influenza vaccine

There are 4 nurses administering COVID-19 and influenza vaccines today at the Centre, including Marta Gonzales Pereda.

Several people are waiting their turn to get vaccinated today.

 

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Syringes ready to be used at the Centre

As of early December 2022, 80% of Spain’s population had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (completed the COVID-19 vaccine series), and over half of the population had had their first booster.

At about 70%, influenza vaccination uptake among older people is relatively high in Spain. Among other at-risk groups – for example, pregnant women or people with underlying health conditions – vaccination uptake is over 60%. Both figures are based on recent data.

WHO/Europe’s recommendation is for all countries in the Region to reach the goal of 75% influenza vaccine coverage for people at risk.

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One of Málaga’s main streets filled with people taking in this year’s Christmas lights

The influenza season is off to an early start in the WHO European Region, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is on the rise and COVID-19 is still circulating.

WHO/Europe recommends staying vigilant and continuing with measures that work so that vulnerable populations can be protected from influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses this winter.

These measures include getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza. And, practicing measures such as cleaning hands regularly; wearing well-fitting masks, particularly when in crowded, closed settings with inadequate ventilation; and staying away from others when ill with a respiratory virus to help keep respiratory infections at bay.

 

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