Starting December 1, residents of Catalunya can get a flu shot regardless of age or health status. This decision was made by regional authorities in response to an early rise in cases. This year, the virus is spreading faster than usual, and experts expect a significant increase in infections over the coming weeks.
Authorities recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible, especially for those over 60, children from six months to five years old, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and individuals in vulnerable groups. For them, the risk of flu complications is much higher, and the peak of infections may arrive within two weeks.
Early Start of the Epidemic and Infection Trends
According to the infectious disease monitoring system, the flu incidence rate in Catalunya remains low so far—81 cases per 100,000 residents per week. However, the upward trend continues, and experts anticipate it will reach a moderate level in the coming days. This season, the virus is showing more activity than in recent years, affecting both children and adults.
Alongside the flu, the region is also seeing an increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus (VRS), which is particularly dangerous for young children and the elderly. For now, its spread remains within normal levels, but doctors advise staying alert.
How and Where to Get Vaccinated
You can book a vaccination appointment through the La Meva Salut website or on the citasalut.gencat.cat portal. Residents can also contact their primary care center (CAP) directly. For convenience, most CAP centers are offering walk-in vaccination hours until December 5, making it easier for those who were unable to schedule in advance.
Since the start of the autumn campaign on September 22, more than 1.15 million people have received the flu vaccine—168,000 more than during the same period last year. Nearly half of those vaccinated booked appointments in advance, 40% received the vaccine during other doctor visits, and 15% came without a prior booking.
Vaccination rates and virus features this season
Vaccination coverage rates this year are higher than last year: 43% among people over 60, 63.1% for those over 80, and 35.1% of children aged 6 to 59 months. Authorities note this as an important step in protecting the most vulnerable groups.
This season, two flu virus subtypes are circulating in Catalonia: A(H1N1pdm09) and A(H3N2) variant K. Both are included in the vaccines currently used in the region. Variant K has already been detected on all continents but does not cause more severe illness. Despite some differences from reference strains, experts say vaccination still protects against severe forms of the flu.
Flu in Europe: scale and impact
In a typical flu season, Europe sees tens of millions of cases and thousands of deaths. The illness is particularly severe among the elderly, young children, and people with chronic conditions. Doctors emphasize that timely vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of complications and protect yourself and your loved ones.
