Booster vaccine appointments open to ages 50 to 59
Public health authorities approved administering shots to over 40s last Thursday
People between the ages of 50 and 59 can now get booster shots. The online system to book an appointment is currently open to those over 55, who should receive a text message, and those aged 50 to 54 will be able to book an appointment from Wednesday, Catalonia's public health authority said on Tuesday afternoon.
On Thursday, December 16, Spain's Public Health Committee, made up of representatives from the Spanish and regional governments, approved giving booster vaccines to those aged 50 to 59. For the moment, Catalonia has only opened appointments to that age group but officials also decided last week to extend boosters to over 40s once over 50s have received them.
Catalonia has been giving third doses to some groups since September 17. Eligibility currently extends to over 60s, immunocompromised people, care home residents, and anyone who received the Janssen vaccine .
From Monday, December 20, people that received the AstraZeneca vaccine, regardless of their age, were able to book an appointment for a booster jab.
Public health secretary Carmen Cabezas has said that all of the booster shots will be Pfizer or Moderna and that previous vaccines will not determine the kind of third dose received. If using Moderna, however, health workers will only administer half-a-dose as it has a higher amount of mRNA than Pfizer.
Those over 55 who received AstraZeneca or Janssen will be able to get a booster jab three months after the last dose, while those who were vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna will have to wait a minimum of six months between the second and the booster shots.
You can find all information on where and how to get a vaccination appointment here.
Vaccine rollout in Catalonia
As of December 20, 2021, 6,201,625 residents have been given the first dose of the vaccine, 78.2% of the total population. Out of those, 5,390,917 have also been administered a second dose (68.1% of the total population). 6,031,939 residents are considered to be fully immunized (75.8%).
Booster shots are being given to those between 60 and 69, those 70 and over, immunocompromised people, care home residents, and anyone who received the Janssen vaccine.
Catalonia has administered 1,477,875 booster shots to these groups.