Flu vaccination in Málaga opens to everyone aged 60 and over from Wednesday

Málaga’s flu vaccination campaign enters a new phase this Wednesday, 21 October, with all people aged 60 and over now eligible to receive the vaccine. From today, this age group can request an appointment through the Andalusian public health system.

The new phase also includes several professional groups considered essential or at greater risk of exposure, including members of the security forces, firefighters, Civil Protection personnel, prison staff and professionals who work directly with animals.

The expansion is one of the final major steps in the staggered vaccination calendar that began earlier this month.

Who can get the flu vaccine from 21 October?

From this Wednesday, everyone aged 60 or over can receive the flu vaccine, whether or not they have an underlying health condition.

The campaign also opens to:

• state security forces;
• firefighters;
• Civil Protection staff;
• prison workers;
• professionals with direct exposure to animals.

These groups now join those who became eligible during the earlier stages of the campaign.

Flu vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 60 and over

Andalusia’s vaccination programme recommends the annual flu vaccine for all people aged 60 or over.

There is no need to have a chronic illness or another additional risk factor to qualify.

Age alone is enough to place this group within the recommended vaccination population because the risk of complications from respiratory infections generally increases with age.

How to book an appointment in Málaga

People included in this new phase can request an appointment through the usual Andalusian Health Service channels.

These include:

• ClicSalud+
• Salud Andalucía app
• Salud Responde app
• Salud Responde phone line: 955 54 50 60
• directly through the relevant health centre

The Andalusian Health Service recommends booking an appointment during this stage of the campaign.

The vaccination campaign began on 1 October

The 2026-2027 campaign has been introduced gradually.

On 1 October, flu vaccination began for children aged between 6 and 59 months, as well as other groups including pregnant women, certain institutionalised people and health and social care workers.

Teaching staff working with children under the age of five were also included.

The staggered timetable was designed to prioritise the most vulnerable or highly exposed groups first.

People aged 80 and over joined on 7 October

The next stage began on 7 October.

From that date, people aged 80 and over became eligible.

People with a high level of dependency who are cared for at home, together with their usual carers, were also included.

This group was given priority because of its higher risk of complications from respiratory infections.

People aged 70 and over joined on 14 October

One week later, on 14 October, eligibility was expanded to the general population aged 70 and over.

Adults with chronic illnesses or other risk factors also joined the programme at that stage.

With the opening to people aged 60 and over on 21 October, the campaign now reaches one of its broadest phases.

Flu and COVID vaccines do not have exactly the same target groups

Although the two vaccination campaigns are taking place at the same time, their eligibility criteria are not identical.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 60 and over.

The COVID-19 vaccine, however, is generally aimed at people aged 70 and over, along with other groups with medical conditions or specific risk factors.

This means that a healthy person aged between 60 and 69 is now eligible for the flu vaccine but is not automatically included in the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Household contacts of vulnerable people may also be eligible

The Andalusian vaccination schedule also includes some household contacts of people considered vulnerable.

These individuals may be incorporated progressively as the relevant priority groups become eligible and depending on vaccine availability.

The aim is to increase protection around people who are at particularly high risk.

Why the flu vaccine is recommended

Flu is a respiratory infection that circulates every year and, while many cases resolve without major complications, it can cause more serious illness in older adults and people with certain health conditions.

Vaccination aims to reduce the likelihood of severe disease and hospitalisation.

It also helps reduce the wider impact of flu circulation during autumn and winter.

Essential services also join the campaign

The campaign is not organised by age alone.

From 21 October, several professional groups are also included because of the nature of their work.

Security forces, firefighters and Civil Protection personnel may face increased exposure during their duties and also provide essential services in emergencies.

Vaccination can help reduce the risk of illness and staff shortages during periods when respiratory viruses are circulating widely.

Professionals who work directly with animals

The campaign also includes professionals with direct exposure to animals.

This group can include some workers in livestock farming, veterinary services and other occupations involving regular animal contact.

Their inclusion follows specific public health recommendations within the flu vaccination programme.

Prison staff are also included

Workers in prisons are another group becoming eligible this Wednesday.

Closed settings have particular epidemiological characteristics because many people live and work in shared spaces for long periods.

Preventing respiratory infections can therefore be especially important in these environments.

RSV immunisation is also progressing in Andalusia

Alongside flu vaccination, Andalusia is continuing its programme against respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, one of the main causes of bronchiolitis in babies.

According to the latest figures released by the regional government, 27,583 of the 32,942 infants included in the campaign had received nirsevimab.

That represents coverage of around 83.7%.

RSV protection includes new groups this year

The RSV strategy also introduces new eligibility groups this season.

For the first time, some people aged 60 and over who live in care homes or receive immunosuppressive treatment are included.

Certain adults over 18 who are considered at very high risk are also covered.

This is separate from the general flu vaccination campaign and applies only to specific groups.

Walk-in vaccination days begin in November

People who cannot get vaccinated now with an appointment will have another option later.

The Andalusian government has announced that regional walk-in vaccination sessions will begin on Wednesday 11 November.

From then on, they are expected to take place every Wednesday while the campaign continues, subject to vaccine availability and the development of the programme.

These sessions will be available to people included in the recommended target groups.

Two special Saturday vaccination events are also planned

Health authorities are also preparing two special Saturday vaccination days.

They are expected to take place in shopping centres to make vaccination easier for people who may find it difficult to attend a health centre during the working week.

Full details on locations and times are still to be confirmed.

What if no appointment is immediately available?

The Andalusian Health Service stresses that the campaign does not end during these first few days.

If someone cannot find an appointment straight away, they can try again later.

Vaccination will continue over the coming weeks with the aim of reaching everyone for whom it is recommended.

There is therefore no need to attend urgently on the first day of eligibility.

The campaign will continue throughout the autumn

Respiratory virus vaccination is concentrated in autumn in order to provide protection before circulation increases during the colder months.

Opening vaccination to everyone aged 60 and over is one of the final major steps in Andalusia’s staggered schedule.

From this Wednesday, thousands of people in Málaga who were not previously eligible by age can now request an appointment.

What people aged 60 and over in Málaga need to know

From 21 October 2026:

• everyone aged 60 and over can receive the flu vaccine;
• the vaccine is recommended even without underlying health conditions;
• an appointment is required during this phase;
• appointments can be booked through ClicSalud+, Salud Andalucía, Salud Responde or a health centre;
• walk-in vaccination days for eligible groups begin on 11 November;
• COVID-19 vaccination follows different criteria and is not routinely offered to all healthy adults aged 60 to 69.

The campaign is therefore entering one of its widest stages just before the period when respiratory viruses usually circulate more intensely.