Madrid's flu vaccination campaign is scheduled to open with appointments on October 5, 2026. People aged 60 and over and children from six months to seven years will go first. The campaign will run through January 31, 2027. People eligible for both vaccines can receive flu and Covid-19 shots during the same campaign, at a single appointment. Telemadrid, La Razón and El Confidencial report the same timetable and priority groups.
The first two weeks are reserved for those groups. Healthcare professionals join the campaign on October 13, followed by other target groups on October 19, including pregnant women and people with chronic conditions.
Vaccination will be available throughout the Madrid health network. Residents can use health centres and local clinics run by the Servicio Madrileño de Salud, known as SERMAS. SERMAS hospitals will also take part.
Other locations include the Community of Madrid International Vaccination Centre and the Madrid City Council's Municipal Community Health Centres. Accredited private hospitals and medical centres will offer vaccines too. Nursing homes and prisons are also part of the distribution network.
The regional plan aims to reduce deaths and illness linked to flu and limit the disease's spread in the wider community. Priority groups include people at higher risk because of their age or health, as well as those who could pass the infection to someone vulnerable.
The Madrid campaign is part of a wider autumn vaccination rollout across Spain. RTVE and EFE report that several autonomous communities are expanding access in schools to children and adolescents to increase vaccination coverage.
Seasonal flu is caused by influenza viruses and leads to an acute respiratory infection. Many cases remain mild, but the illness can become severe and may be fatal. Epidemic waves usually arrive in winter, so vaccination begins before that period.
The schedule also puts pressure on primary care, where staff must handle flu and Covid-19 vaccinations at the same time. An earlier report examined how regional flu campaigns can add to nursing teams' workload. Comments from the nursing union SATSE also point to extra strain on primary-care and nursing staff when both campaigns begin together.
Madrid will open access in stages. Older residents, children, healthcare workers and people with medical risk factors will get earlier appointments. The wider public can request vaccination later.
October 5 is the first appointment window for older people and young children. Healthcare workers join on October 13, and access expands to the remaining target groups on October 19.
The campaign will stay open until January 31, 2027. Its network covers public facilities, accredited private centres and institutions with residents who may need organised vaccination. Flu can cause anything from a mild infection to severe illness. Madrid's plan uses vaccination as its basic preventive measure and offers Covid-19 access at the same time when both vaccines are advised.
