Over 14 million Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Catalonia

More than 14 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Catalonia according to the latest figures released by the health department on Sunday morning.

Since December 27, 2020, when then-89-year-old Hospitalet de Llobregat nursing home resident Josefa Pérez became the first person in Catalonia to get a shot, 6,367,329 first doses, and 5,509,331 second doses have been administered.

All in all, 2,206,329 third doses – currently available to people 40 and over as well as health workers and those who are considered to be at risk – have been given.

While only 76.8% of the entire population is considered to be fully vaccinated, this figure jumps to 85% of those 12 and over, for whom the vaccine has been available for months.

The rollout, with pediatric Pfizer vaccines that are a third of the dose given to adults, was expanded to children between the ages of 5 and 11 on December 15. 

Rising cases and restrictions

Covid-19 cases have grown relentlessly over the past few weeks largely due to the highly contagious Omicron variant of the virus. Catalonia reported a total of 158,752 new PCR and antigen test confirmed infections between January 2 and 8, over 16% more than the previous 7 days. 

Restrictions, which will be in place until at least January 20, include a 10-person limit on gatherings and a 1 am to 6 am curfew in 132 municipalities with high infection rates.

And although the sixth wave of the pandemic is yet to peak, Catalan presidency minister Laura Vilagrà told the Catalan News Agency that the government had ruled out implementing measures that would only affect unvaccinated residents. 

How to get vaccinated in Catalonia

Anyone who is registered in a municipal 'padró' census in Catalonia is entitled to at least basic CatSalut public health coverage, which includes Covid care and vaccinations.

You can apply for a health card here. Once you have received a CIP number, you can request access to La Meva Salut, the website and app from which medical records – including vaccination certificates – can be downloaded and health queries can be made. You will also be able to book vaccination appointments online.

Vaccinations are only administered through the public health system.