The autumn and winter vaccination campaign will run until 31 March 2027, under the new strategy published by the Directorate-General for Health (DGS).

One of the main changes this year is the expansion of free flu vaccination to children aged two to four, using the standard-dose trivalent vaccine.

Children covered by the programme will be able to receive the vaccine at SNS health units, as well as authorised hospitals and clinics in the private and social sectors.

For younger children aged between six and 23 months who have not previously been vaccinated against flu, the DGS recommends two doses.

Around 2.3 million standard-dose flu vaccines and a further 369,000 high-dose vaccines have been purchased by the SNS for this year's campaign.

This represents an increase of 187,000 standard doses and 12,000 high-dose vaccines compared with the previous campaign. The DGS says the supply will be sufficient for everyone eligible under the programme who wants to be vaccinated.

Access through pharmacies is also being expanded. People aged between 18 and 59 with eligible health conditions will be able to receive their flu vaccine at participating pharmacies.

Other groups eligible for vaccination include pregnant women, SNS professionals, firefighters who have direct contact with people at high risk of severe illness, prisoners and people experiencing homelessness.

People aged 85 and over will be offered a high-dose flu vaccine. The same applies to residents aged 60 and over in care homes and other eligible residential and long-term care settings.

The seasonal Covid-19 vaccination campaign will also begin on 30 September and run until the end of March.

This year, the recommended age threshold for the Covid-19 vaccine increases from 60 to 70. Vaccination will continue to be available to people with health conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness and those living in particularly vulnerable settings.

Covid-19 vaccination in pharmacies will also be extended to people aged 18 to 69 with eligible health conditions, while people aged between 70 and 84 remain eligible regardless of underlying conditions.