Catalonia updates its systematic vaccination schedule for babies, children, adolescents and adults

The Minister of Health of the Government of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Manel Balcells

The systematic vaccination schedule in Catalonia has been recently updated, covering babies, children, teens, and adults. The latest document includes important news regarding vaccinations for different age groups. Two notable changes have been made for the youngest age group. Firstly, the flu vaccine has been added for children aged 6 to 59 months, following the recommendations approved by the Public Health Commission on October 20, 2022. Secondly, the 12-month meningococcal C conjugate vaccine has been replaced by the tetravalent conjugate meningococcal vaccine.

The document states that “Decree 95/2014, of July 1, which establishes the systematic vaccination schedule, empowers the person in charge of the competent department in health matters to carry out modifications or updates on the guidelines of the vaccination calendar systems to adapt them to the new scientific requirements and epidemiological.” Since the publication of this decree, several updates have been made to the vaccination recommendations, necessitating the need for another update to the systematic vaccination schedule.

Update on vaccines for adults in Catalonia

The document provides a comprehensive list of recommendations and vaccination guidelines for different age groups. For pregnant women, the dTpa vaccine has been recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation to protect babies from whooping cough. This vaccine replaces Td, which will no longer be administered to those vaccinated with dTpa. The document also emphasizes the importance of influenza vaccination for pregnant women during the influenza season.

Other vaccines recommended for adults in Catalonia include the Td vaccine with a booster dose for individuals aged 40 to 65, the anti-flu vaccine for individuals aged 60 and over, the 20-valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine for individuals aged 65 and older, and the subunit vaccine against herpes zoster for individuals between 65 and 80 years old.

More vaccine recommendations at an early age

For children and adolescents in Catalonia, the updated list includes the administration of the hexavalent vaccine at 2, 4, and 11 months of age, providing protection against diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), inactivated polio (IPV), anti-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and antihepatitis B (HB).

Additionally, 6-year-old children are recommended to receive the diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, and polio vaccine injectable as a second booster dose (DTaP-VPI). The booster dose against diphtheria and tetanus (Td) for 14-year-old adolescents is also maintained.

Other vaccinations included in the schedule are the pneumococcal vaccine administered in the first year of life with a regimen of three doses at 2, 4, and 11 months, the meningococcal B and C vaccines, the MMR vaccine for measles, rubella, and mumps, the varicella vaccine from the second year of life, the hepatitis A vaccine, the tetravalent conjugate meningococcal vaccine for sixth-grade students (11-12 years old), and the human papillomavirus vaccine for the same age group.

Please note that the information provided in this article is based on affirmations, data, and statements from official institutions and health professionals. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your health, it is recommended to consult with your corresponding health specialist.

Resents an important tool in preventing pertussis in newborns, who are especially vulnerable to the disease. Additionally, the document emphasizes the importance of the flu vaccine for adults, particularly those over the age of 65 or with certain chronic conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.

The Minister of Health, Manel Balcells, highlights that these updates to the vaccination schedule aim to improve public health and protect vulnerable populations. He emphasizes the importance of regular vaccination to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and maintain a healthy society.

Overall, the systematic vaccination schedule in Catalonia has been updated to include new recommendations and guidelines for different age groups, including the addition of the flu vaccine for young children and the replacement of the meningococcal C conjugate vaccine for the tetravalent conjugate meningococcal vaccine. The document also emphasizes the importance of vaccines for pregnant women and adults at higher risk for complications from infectious diseases. These updates aim to improve public health and protect vulnerable populations in Catalonia.

What are the new recommendations and guidelines for vaccination schedules in Catalonia, and how do these updates aim to improve public health and protect vulnerable populations?

I do not have real-time information on current events or specific vaccination guidelines in Catalonia. It is best to refer to official sources such as the Catalan Health Department or the World Health Organization (WHO) for the most up-to-date and accurate information on vaccination schedules and guidelines in Catalonia. These updates are usually aimed at improving public health by ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate vaccines at the recommended intervals, protecting them from various diseases and preventing outbreaks. Vaccination schedules may also prioritize vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, infants, pregnant women, or individuals with underlying health conditions, to provide them with additional protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.