The main novelty for flu vaccination in the 2026-2027 campaign is the expansion of free vaccination to children aged 2 to 4 years. Within the vaccination schedule, the administration of two doses of flu vaccine is recommended for children aged 6 to 23 months in their primary vaccination, aiming to strengthen child protection and reduce community transmission of the disease.
The administration of the flu vaccine in community pharmacies has been extended to individuals aged 18 to 59 with eligible risk pathologies, increasing the accessibility and convenience of vaccination.
The National Health Service (SNS) has acquired 2,330,000 doses of standard-dose flu vaccines and 369,000 doses of high-dose vaccines. This represents an increase of 187,000 standard-dose vaccines and 12,000 high-dose vaccines compared to the previous campaign, ensuring vaccines for all who wish to be vaccinated.
Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, the strategy for 2026-2027 is more focused on population groups at higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Primary vaccination continues throughout the year, but eligibility is restricted to specific groups with higher clinical risk.
The age threshold for recommending the seasonal COVID-19 vaccine is raised from 60 to 70 years, with vaccination maintained for individuals with conditions or pathologies associated with a higher risk of severe illness, as well as for residents in particularly vulnerable structures and contexts.
The strategy also reinforces a more targeted approach to healthcare professionals who have individual risk factors associated with a higher risk of severe illness or who provide direct and regular care to particularly vulnerable individuals.
Furthermore, community pharmacy vaccination against COVID-19 is extended to individuals aged 18 to 69 with risk pathologies, while vaccination for individuals aged 70 to 84 is maintained regardless of these pathologies.
The autumn-winter 2026-2027 seasonal vaccination campaign is the most effective measure to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death associated with influenza and COVID-19, also contributing to the resilience and reduction of pressure on health services during months of high respiratory virus circulation, as well as reinforcing the protection of professionals and people living or working in contexts of greater vulnerability.
