The Spanish-occupied enclave of Ceuta has announced plans to purchase 10,000 flu vaccines for migrants living in temporary accommodation centers. This move is part of the city's seasonal vaccination campaign, aimed at protecting the health of migrants staying in these facilities. According to local authorities, the vaccines are set to arrive next week and will be administered directly at the different accommodation sites.
Ceuta's Minister of Health and Social Services, Nabila Benzina, and the territorial director of Spain's National Institute of Health Management (Ingesa), Jesús Lopera, presented the vaccination campaign in a press conference. Benzina emphasized the importance of protecting the health of migrants, stating that vaccination will help lower the incidence of health problems. The health teams will follow procedures previously used for other diseases to administer the vaccines.
As of Thursday, health authorities in Ceuta had vaccinated 5,217 adults across different facilities, with participation rates exceeding 80% in most locations. The Temporary Stay Center for Immigrants (CETI) recorded the lowest rate at 62%, while other centers such as Loma Colmenar, La Hípica, and Puerto Levante reported higher participation rates. Among minors, approximately 90% have received vaccinations, bringing the overall vaccination rate across the facilities to around 80%.
Lopera stressed that vaccination remains voluntary, and accommodation managers, Doctors of the World, and other organizations have helped encourage participation. Authorities will administer a second dose under the same conditions as the first once supplies become available. The campaign will also cover flu and COVID-19 vaccination for high-risk groups.
The Ingesa official addressed concerns about the impact of migrant healthcare on services for Ceuta residents. He stated that authorities had organized dedicated medical services, epidemiological surveillance, and vaccination programs in coordination with the city's health department and Spain's Center for Coordination of Health Alerts and Emergencies. These measures have been implemented to ensure that regular healthcare services for local residents are not disrupted.
According to Lopera, 95% of migrants who seek medical attention have mild conditions, while the remaining 5% require hospital care. Daily medical visits linked to migrants have decreased significantly since August, from between 300 and 400 to slightly more than 100 daily consultations in primary and specialized care. This decrease is attributed to the expansion of capacity to handle minor health problems at accommodation centers.
Lopera also urged accommodation managers to provide isolation spaces for people showing symptoms to limit the spread of flu and COVID-19 during the coming months. The vaccination campaign aims to protect not only the migrants but also the local residents of Ceuta. By taking proactive measures, the city hopes to mitigate the impact of the flu and COVID-19 seasons on its healthcare system.
Key points
- Ceuta buys 10,000 flu vaccines for migrants in temporary accommodation centers.
- Over 5,200 adults in Ceuta's migrant accommodation centers have already received COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The vaccination campaign aims to protect both migrants and local residents from flu and COVID-19.
