The vaccination has started!
And the vaccinations will ensure that later this year our life slowly will return to normal !!
At the moment we are in the third wave. The rapidly rising numbers of Covid patients in Spain currently are mainly due to the busy social traffic during the holidays. In Spain, there are now more than 2.5 million positive Covid cases and more than 55,000 deaths. Therefore you really should limit your social activities as much as possible, keep your distance and wear a good mask.
The Spanish government now recommends wearing an FFP3 mask because this mask protects you better (98%). The FFP2 mask protects you for 92%. The FFP3 mask is not reusable and works 4-8 hours.
If you have minor complaints, there is no reason to go to the emergency department of the hospital. You can contact us for a PCR or an Antigen test (result after 15 minutes). In case of minor complaints, don't worry if it takes a while before you get an appointment for a test: it only makes the test more reliable. With more serious complaints it is of course important to act quickly.
You can find all the figures regarding the number of patients per region in this link on the website of the Ministerio de Sanidad.
A handy, up-to-date Spanish-language site for information about the restrictions is this 20 minutos infographic.
All travelers by air or boat from Spain to any other country must show a negative PCR test that was taken up to 72 hours before arrival. A negative test is not a substitute for home quarantine. You will also need to stay at home for 10 days with a negative test. You can have yourself tested again on the 5th day after arrival in the Netherlands to shorten the quarantine time. You can contact us for the PCR test.
Types of vaccinations
At the moment there are 3 vaccines approved in Europe.
1. Pfizer- Biotech
The administration of this vaccine has started in the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain. This is an mRNA vaccine and has an effectiveness of 94% after 2 vaccinations. The vaccine should be stored at -70°C and can be stored for 5 days at 2-8°C after thawing. A single vaccination offers 50% protection, after 3 weeks you will receive the second shot. Quite a few side effects are known, such as pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and allergic reaction.
2.Moderna
This is also a mRNA vaccine and again offers 94% protection. This one is easier to use and should be stored at -20°C. Also here, 2 doses are required, 1 month apart. This vaccine is already being administered in Belgium.
3.Oxford-Astra Zeneca
This vaccine is made from an altered chimpanzee adenovirus and has a 70% effectiveness. The vaccine should be stored at 2-8°C. A second injection is required after 3 months. This vaccine is already being administered in the United Kingdom.
Are you eligible for the Covid vaccination in Spain??
If you have a card from the SAS (Servicio Andaluz de Salud), you will receive an invitation to receive the vaccine in the order as set out in the Spanish Government's "Vaccination Strategy Against COVID-19".
If you never had a consultation at your Centro de Salud, they will not have any medical records of you. It is wise to request a (telephone) consultation to inform them of your history and your medication. This is important if you fall within the risk groups for Covid-19, because you will be selected on the basis of the medical file at your Centro de Salud.
If you are a resident and 65 or older and you do not have a card yet, you can register with the SAS and you will be called up for the vaccination in due time.
If you have a Spanish private insurance and are not eligible for the vaccination through the SAS, you will have to wait for your vaccination. You can contact your insurance, but they will probably not be able to tell you how the vaccination procedure will proceed in your case.
If you are not a resident in Spain, you will not be able to receive a vaccination here (for the time being).
