The Catalan health ministry has announced that vaccination will now begin for the 35 to 39 year age group. In a press conference this Thursday, public health secretary Carmen Cabezas, accompanied by Catalan health minister Josep Maria Argimon, explained that Catalan residents born between 1982 and 1986 can now make an appointment for a Covid jab.
"The Delta variant shows itself in runny noses, headaches... this needs to be kept in mind: if we have these symptoms, we should go to the centre and get a test," said Cabezas, with reference to the Covid variant detected in India which is expected to become dominant in Catalonia. In this regard, the secretary emphasized how important it is for members of the public to be fully vaccinated. "All the vaccines work well," she said. And she commented that the age group between 45 and 49 years of age had responded very well to the vaccine, while 20 per cent of the 40-to-44 age group had already made a vaccination appointment.
Get your vaccine at your place of residence
In this regard, she also recalled that those who are waiting for the second dose, should try to receive it at their place of residence. “We are working with four different vaccines, four different ways to store them, but the vaccine has to arrive and be preserved under certain conditions in different areas,” he commented. "Logistically it has been, is and will continue to be very complicated."
"If we go to León for three weeks because we are going to see the family, let's try and make it simple, let's try not to get vaccinated in León," she added. So, remember that people who are being vaccinated now "have mobility." "If you go on holiday to Salou and live in Cornellà, you should get vaccinated again in Cornellà."
Concern for the Delta variant
Health minister Argimon, however, showed more concern for the Delta variant than the upcoming midsummer festival of Sant Joan. The variant already represents 20% of active coronavirus cases in Catalonia. "In a few weeks - two or four - this variant will be the dominant one," he said. He stressed that this variant "is more communicable and can give rise to more serious illness."
As for face masks, the minister reiterated his view that "they should be withdrawn for specific occasions, such as outside". "It's not in our power to decide this", said Argimon. Despite the lifting of the obligation to wear masks in some European countries (such as France, Belgium and Andorra), Spain has not yet discussed a date for a scaling down or withdrawl of the measure.
Nevertheless, the minister did want to make it clear that despite the improvement, "the pandemic is not yet over".
Main image: Catalan health minister Josep Maria Argimon, and secretary of public health Carmen Cabezas / ACN