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Andalucía to start vaccinating over 80s living in the community from next week

A woman receives her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in a care home. File photograph.
A woman receives her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in a care home. File photograph. / SUR

  • The regional health service has almost finished the first round of vaccinations for the elderly living in care homes and their carers

From next week the Junta de Andalucía plans to roll out their Covid-19 vaccination plan to people over the age of 80 who do not live in residences for the elderly.

The regional government has almost finished vaccinating the most vulnerable group – the elderly in care homes - and their carers with their first doses of the vaccine.

In Andalucía there are estimated to be 450,000 octogenarians, of which approximately 80,000 live in Malaga province.

Likewise, from next week the Junta will begin to vaccinate private health professionals who work on the front line of the fight against Covid, an inoculation that was launched for public health personnel on 27 December.

The vaccine from the North American company Moderna is also due to arrive in Andalucía next week. Two doses will have to be administered, with an interval of 28 days. The efficacy of Moderna's vaccine is claimed to be around 95 per cent.

The existing Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine should also be given in two doses, 21 days apart between each injection according to the manufacturer. The effectiveness is claimed to be 95 per cent and immunity is achieved within seven days of receiving the second dose.

Health officials have reminded people who have been given the first dose that they should continue to maintain preventive measures such as the use of a mask, social distancing and hand hygiene, since they are not protected against the SARS-CoV-2 to the maximum degree until they receive their second dose.

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