Flu Vaccine Rollout begins for Vigo Schoolchildren
Vigo, Spain – A preventative health initiative is underway in Vigo, with influenza vaccinations now being administered to children aged 3 to 11 across eight local schools and their associated health areas. The campaign, launched this week, aims to protect students and reduce the spread of the flu within the community as the colder months approach.
This year’s vaccination program builds upon the success of previous campaigns focused on protecting vulnerable infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),a program pioneered in Galicia in 2023 which saw hospitalizations due to RSV decrease by over 90% in vaccinated children. The current flu vaccination effort extends preventative measures to a broader age group, recognizing the role school-aged children play in transmitting the virus.
The regional Xeral Directorate of Public Health initiated the RSV immunization campaign for infants on September 22nd, administering the first doses to newborns in both public and private hospitals. This protection will continue through March 2026, with priority given to premature infants under 12 months and high-risk infants under 24 months. Active appointments for children under six months born between April 1st and September 21st, 2025, will begin September 29th.
Last season, 12,719 girls and boys received the RSV immunization, representing full coverage of at-risk infants, 91.74% of those eligible for revaccination in 2024, and 98.27% of babies born during the previous campaign.The expansion to include school-aged children underscores a continued commitment to proactive public health strategies in the region.
