November 16th has been agreed as the date when vaccination against Influenza A will begin throughout Spain, although there could still be slight variations in some regions.
The agreement was reached by the members of the Inter-Territorial Council of Health. In the first instance, the vaccination will be available to those in the major ‘risk groups’, namely the health workforce, workers in homes for the elderly, the chronically ill over the age of six months and workers in other essential services.
Oseltamivir, sold as Tamiflu by Roche Laboratories, may return to pharmacies from November 1st but on prescription and more than likely not funded by Social Security.
Tamiflu was withdrawn from pharmacies in May amidst fears of abuse and the emergence of resistance to the drug.