{
  "id": 17928371,
  "title": "Flu Vaccinations Open to All from 5 November",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/flu-vaccinations-open-to-all-from-5-november",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-03T07:06:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Leader",
    "slug": "the-leader",
    "url": "https://theleader.info/2026/11/03/flu-vaccinations-open-to-all-from-5-november/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "From November 5, the Valencian Health Department will offer flu vaccinations to everyone in Alicante province, including the Vega Baja region, without the need for appointments. The campaign, which began on November 2, aims to make vaccination more accessible and boost protection against seasonal respiratory infections.\n\nResidents can visit their local health center during scheduled vaccination hours without prior booking. Regional Health Minister Marciano Gómez urged everyone to participate, emphasizing that vaccination safeguards individuals and vulnerable community members. He clarified that flu vaccination is not only for the elderly or those with medical conditions but also protects healthy people. Over 900,000 doses have been administered since the campaign's start, including 559,332 influenza vaccinations and 321,682 COVID-19 vaccinations.\n\nOver 55,000 flu vaccinations have already been given through schools, primarily to children aged three to six, who receive a nasal spray vaccine instead of an injection. Children outside the school program's age range can get vaccinated at their local health center. The Valencian Government has bought over 1.2 million flu vaccine doses and 715,000 COVID-19 doses for this year's program.\n\nVaccinations are also being administered in 333 residential care homes across the Valencian Community, benefiting more than 29,000 elderly residents. Coverage in these homes is at 51.6% for flu and 49.4% for COVID-19, with RSV coverage exceeding 71%. Pregnant women, healthcare workers, and people with underlying conditions are also targeted. Flu vaccination is especially recommended for adults over 60, young children, pregnant women, and those with certain health risks. COVID-19 vaccination focuses on vulnerable groups, particularly those over 70 and those at increased risk of serious illness.\n\nThe campaign, titled \"Don’t Let Excuses Decide for You,\" challenges the misconception that healthy people don't need vaccination. Officials encourage residents to view vaccination as a regular preventive health measure, alongside healthy eating and exercise. Those seeking a flu vaccination should check their local health center's walk-in vaccination hours starting November 5.",
  "summary": "The Valencian Health Department has extended its annual flu vaccination campaign to the entire population, allowing residents across Alicante province, including the Vega Baja, to receive their vaccinations without an appointment from Thursday, 5 November. The expanded programme, which opens to the general population on 2 November, is designed to make vaccination more accessible and […] The post…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}