Title: Murcia‘s Expanded Vaccination Program: A Comprehensive Look at 2024‘s Advancements
Murcia, Spain – The Regional Ministry of Health has progressively enhanced the vaccination program in 2024, introducing new vaccinations and extending age ranges for existing ones. The result is a robust vaccination calendar that ranks among the most comprehensive in Spain, as reported by Juan José Pedreño, the Minister of Health.
The improvements span across all age groups, from newborns to seniors. Notably, around 50,000 minors have access to 22 vaccines protecting against 17 diseases. Meanwhile, approximately 10,000 adults are safeguarded against four conditions. The Ministry has invested €22.5 million to achieve this expanded program.
Among the key additions, the Ministry began protecting babies born after January 2024 against rotavirus from June onwards. This initiative, costing €1.16 million annually, aims to prevent 90% of hospitalizations due to this virus. Previously, 70% of families opted for private vaccinations, spending around €200 per child.
Later in September, the Ministry launched a campaign to immunize newborns against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the leading cause of bronchiolitis. As of now, over 3,200 newborns, representing 94%, have received this immunization. Moreover, the Ministry has updated the meningococcus vaccination at 4 months, now including protection against 4 serogroups (A, C, W, and Y) instead of just one.
In a significant step forward, the Ministry has expanded the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to include men up to 25 years old. Previously, this vaccine was only available to boys born after 2011. This expansion is expected to benefit over 128,000 people who, previously, would have had to pay around €170 for private vaccination. Similarly, the HPV vaccine for women will also extend to those up to 25 years who did not receive it in school.
The Ministry has also focused on school settings for influenza vaccinations. This year, the vaccination campaign has been expanded to include all children in nursery school with two completed years, with almost 49% of those aged 6 months to 5 years receiving the vaccine so far.
Furthermore, the Ministry has expanded its herpes zoster (shingles) vaccination program to include adults aged 80 this year.
These advancements demonstrate Murcia’s commitment to public health and prevention, ensuring that all residents, young and old, have access to vital vaccinations.
