Moncloa.28.11.2025.Influenza vaccine: its purpose and which group is recommended?[Press/Current News/Health]

Friday 28 November 2025. Vaccination to protect the most vulnerable and reduce health risk.Every year, experts make recommendations for vaccination against influenza as a disease.

Influenza vaccination: what is its purpose and in what groups is it recommended?

Health - 28/11/2025

From the 2021-2022 season, the flu vaccine was recommended along with the COVID-19.For the 2025-2026 season, the Public Health Commission of the National Health System has issued different recommendations for vaccination against influenza and against COVID-19, since each virus presents a different epidemiological situation.These recommendations may be updated as they develop.

According to the latest report from the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System this week, data from November 17 to 23 show that the influenza incidence rate in primary medical institutions is 40.1 cases per 100,000 residents, which has exceeded the epidemic threshold (the situation varies across the country and in each autonomous region).In 2024, it will take until the end of December to cross this threshold.

Why is it recommended to strengthen against fever?

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the effects of influenza.According to a recent study carried out by the Carlos III Medical Institute team, this disease will increase the health and social care capacity in 2024 and October 2025, and in October 2025, 18,200.

Giving vaccine doses every season is necessary because the molecular structure of the virus undergoes changes that allow it to escape the protection provided by vaccination or previous infection.In addition, as time goes by, the antibodies produced by the immune system after vaccination or infection decrease.The vaccines used each season are adjusted to the viruses that may be circulating.

Is the flu vaccine safe?

Sí, las vacunas tienen un perfil de seguridad muy alto. Como ocurre con todos los medicamentos, pueden provocar reacciones adversas, similares a las observadas con anteriores vacunas frente a la gripe. Las más frecuentes tras la administración son inflamación y dolor en el lugar de la inyección, fiebre, malestar o dolor muscular que pueden aparecer tras la vacunación y persistir no más de 48 horas.

The technical sheet and leaflet of the vaccine can be consulted in the Information Center on Medicines of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products.

In which groups is a flu vaccine recommended for the 2025-2026 season?

Health authorities recommend vaccinations for four population groups (a complete list can be found in the third section of the official document).

1. People at higher risk of flu complications:

- People aged 60 or over.

- child population from 6 to 59 months.

- People from 5 to 59 years of age have dangerous conditions such as in residences or institutions, diabetes, stomach disease, cancer, kidney disease, meat disease, hemophilia, anemia, or smokers, or smokers, among others.

- All pregnant and postpartum women.

- People aged 5 to 18 years receive long-term treatment with acetylsalicylic acid.

2. Basic services to society:

- workers of social and public health institutions and public health.

- People who work in important UMPIK services, such as firefighters and members of the state police.

3. People who can transmit the flu to vulnerable people:

- Persons providing home care and outpatient care with § 1 patients, including main caregivers of children under 6 months of age and common-law spouses.

- Staff and students in internships in health centers, social health centers, homes for minors and pharmaceutical employees.

4. Other risk groups:

- People from shopping centers and early childhood education.

- People who have a professional relationship with animals.

When will the vaccination campaign take place?

Selected campaigns start in the last week of September and in October of October.Each community or city has developed its own way of implementing it.Vaccination will be available until the end of the period.

How many doses and how long does it take to produce protection?

In general, a single dose of influenza vaccine is given, including children aged 6 to 59 months without risk factors who have been vaccinated for the first time.

Protection against the virus develops gradually, can be important from the first week and reaches the best level two weeks after the administration of the vaccine.

What other measures are used to prevent the flu?

Among the measures recommended by experts to prevent respiratory infections are the following (more details can be found in this document from the Ministry of Health):

- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow or a disposable tissue.

- Wash your hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing.

- Limit, as much as possible, with other people if you are unwell, feverish or otherwise.

- Try not to use tismes used when it is slippery or clean in the nasal cavity.

- It is recommended to wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms.Personal protective measure for vulnerable people, such as the elderly or those with reduced immunity, especially in closed spaces.

- Avoid contact with sick people.

Make a closed space, especially in busy places.