Adult vaccines in Spain: boosters and catching up

Key rules

• Funding: Public funding depends on your age and risk group; anything outside the calendar is private-pay.
• Regions: Each region runs its own campaigns, so dates, ages and extra funded vaccines differ.
• Flu and COVID-19: Both autumn campaigns usually start in October and are free only for listed groups, such as people aged 60 and over.
• Where to start: Ask your centro de salud what you qualify for and bring any vaccination records you have.

What is free and what is not

Spain has a common lifelong vaccination calendar for adults. The public health system funds the vaccines it lists by age and risk group. Everything else is private-pay. Each region runs its own vaccination, so start dates, age cut-offs and extra funded vaccines differ. Your first stop is your centro de salud: ask what your region funds for your age and health.

Tetanus and diphtheria

Adults who finished the childhood series get a Td dose at around 18 and a booster at around 50. Some regions give boosters at 40-50 and again at 65. If you have a wound and your last dose was more than 10 years ago, you may be given a booster. If your history is unknown or incomplete, you complete a full primary series. Bring any vaccination record from your home country.

Flu and COVID-19

Both campaigns run together each autumn, usually from October. Start dates are set by each region, so check with your regional health service.

Free flu vaccine is for:

• people aged 60 and over (65 and over in some regions)
• people with chronic conditions or weak immune systems
• pregnant women
• care home residents
• healthcare and social care workers
• household contacts of at-risk people

You get it at your centro de salud, or at a pharmacy in some regions.

The free COVID-19 vaccine has targeted similar groups: people aged 60 and over, care home residents and staff, people with high-risk conditions or severe disability, pregnant women, and health and social care workers. Healthy adults under 60 outside these groups are generally not funded. The groups are set each season, so confirm this year's.

Pneumococcal and shingles

Pneumococcal vaccine is funded for adults from about 65 in most regions, and for adults with risk conditions such as chronic heart, lung, liver or kidney disease, diabetes or a weak immune system. Some regions offer it at 60.

Shingles vaccine (two doses) is funded for people turning 65, with catch-up for ages 66-80 in some regions. It is also funded from age 18 for risk groups, such as transplant recipients, people with HIV and some cancer patients. How fast regions extend it to age groups varies.

MMR and hepatitis B catch-up

Free MMR (triple vírica, two doses) is for adults born in 1978 or later with no record of vaccination or immunity, and for health workers. Free hepatitis B is for unvaccinated people in risk groups: health workers, people with chronic liver or kidney disease or HIV, people who inject drugs, close contacts of carriers, and people with multiple sexual partners. Outside these groups you may have to pay, or it may be decided case by case in your region.

Vaccines you pay for

Travel vaccines, hepatitis A or B outside risk groups, meningococcal vaccines, HPV for adults, RSV, and shingles or pneumococcal outside funded groups are private-pay. Pharmacies and vaccination centres set the price per dose. The vaccine and the administration fee are often charged separately. Multi-dose vaccines such as shingles and HPV cost much more in total than single-dose ones. Compare prices at a pharmacy and an international vaccination centre before you book.

Regional differences

Some regions fund extra vaccines, such as meningococcal, HPV in adults or hepatitis A for specific groups. Most follow the minimum common calendar. Check your regional health department's current campaign.

The timeline and FAQ below cover the seasonal steps and common questions.

Timeline and deadlines

• Check which vaccines you qualify for: Before the autumn campaign starts, in September or early October

• Book or attend your flu vaccination at your centro de salud or, in some regions, a pharmacy: From the regional start date, often in October, to December

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are in a funded group: Usually from October, alongside the flu vaccine

• Finish the flu vaccination: The campaign normally runs from mid-October through December

Frequently asked questions

How often do I need a tetanus booster as an adult?

You need a tetanus-diphtheria (Td) booster at around age 50 if you finished the childhood series, and some regions add doses at 40-50 and again at 65. After a wound, you may be offered a booster if more than 10 years have passed since your last dose.

Can I get a free flu vaccine if I am under 60?

Yes, you can get a free flu vaccine under 60 if you have a chronic condition or weak immunity, are pregnant, live in a care home, work in health or social care, or live with someone at risk. Some regions start free vaccination at 65 rather than 60. The campaign normally runs from mid-October to December, at your centro de salud or, in some regions, a pharmacy.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine free for healthy adults?

No, the COVID-19 vaccine is generally not funded for healthy adults under 60 outside the risk groups. Recent campaigns covered people aged 60 and over, care home residents and staff, high-risk conditions, severe disability, pregnancy and health or social-care workers.

Can I get free MMR or hepatitis B catch-up as an adult?

Yes, catch-up is free in the public system if you meet the criteria. For MMR (triple vírica), that means being born in 1978 or later with no documented vaccination or immunity, or being a health worker. For hepatitis B, it means belonging to a risk group, such as health workers or people with chronic liver or kidney disease. Outside these groups you may have to pay, depending on your region.

What happens if I need a vaccine that is not funded?

You pay for it privately at a pharmacy or vaccination centre, priced per dose. Vaccine and administration fees are often charged separately, and multi-dose vaccines like shingles or HPV cost much more in total. Ask for the full price before you book.