The initiative arises from the update of the guideline “Seasonal Vaccination against Influenza and COVID-19: Specific Procedures,” which expands vaccination sites for those eligible for free immunization.
Now, in addition to public health units, eligible children can be vaccinated in private and social sector hospitals or clinics that are authorized vaccination points.
The latest Weekly Report on Seasonal Vaccination by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) indicated that, from September 23 to November 23, 2025, 33.47% of children aged 6 to 23 months were vaccinated, totaling over 43,000.
The expansion of seasonal vaccination to all children aged 6 to 23 months, regardless of their health status or risk group membership, marks the principal innovation of the 2025/2026 Seasonal Vaccination Campaign, as noted by the DGS on its website.
Until this year, only children with specific pathologies or in risk contexts were eligible for free seasonal vaccination.
According to DGS guidelines for the Autumn-Winter 2025-2026 Influenza Vaccination Campaign, children aged 6 months to 8 years with risk pathologies, in risk contexts, or living with individuals at high risk of severe illness, without prior vaccination history, should receive two doses, four weeks apart.
If they have a prior vaccination history or are healthy between the ages of 6 and 23 months, they should receive one dose.
The DGS also recommends vaccination for all children aged 2 to 4 years, subject to medical prescription, with vaccines to be purchased at pharmacies in these cases.
The health authority emphasizes that “pediatric vaccination is a mechanism for directly protecting children, the group most susceptible to influenza infection.”
The DGS aims for this first universal campaign to raise awareness among healthcare professionals and caregivers about the impact of influenza in this age group and the benefits of vaccination, which is safe and effective in preventing infection, illness, and its complications.
The appeal for all eligible children to be vaccinated remains, even if they have already been sick during this seasonal period.
“The available influenza vaccine includes several viral strains, providing protection against possible infections caused by other circulating influenza viruses,” the health authority highlights.
