Osakidetza has launched 12 new 'txertogunes' (vaccination points) across Araba, Bizkaia, and Gipuzkoa, which will be open from October 19th to November 1st. These centers allow citizens to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19 without needing a prior appointment. Hundreds of people, primarily the elderly, have already received their vaccines in the initial hours, with queues forming at peak times.
Jorge Romeo, Deputy Director of Primary Care at Osakidetza, visited the txertogune at the San Martín Health Center in Vitoria-Gasteiz. "With these walk-in vaccination points, we aim to bring vaccination even closer to the public, facilitating access to an effective measure for protecting individual and collective health against the flu and COVID-19," Romeo stated. "Furthermore, this approach helps keep Primary Care consultations freer to attend to other health issues," he added.
These facilities are available to everyone aged six months and older and complement the routine vaccination services offered at health centers. The 12 points are distributed across the three historical territories and offer extended hours, including weekends in the main cities.
María de Perosanz, a nurse at the San Martín txertogune, noted that "many elderly people with additional health conditions are coming in." She highlighted that "many of these individuals come without an appointment because they find it more convenient, which is one of the advantages of these vaccination points."
To support the campaign, Osakidetza has hired 225 nursing professionals and 85 administrative staff. To date, 223,503 flu vaccine doses and 142,255 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered through Primary Care.
The Department of Health and Osakidetza encourage citizens to visit the txertogunes and reiterate the importance of vaccination as a preventive measure, especially for vulnerable groups. They also advise maintaining good hygiene practices such as frequent hand washing and ventilating enclosed spaces.
The txertogunes are located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Bilbao, Barakaldo, Portugalete, Mungia, Amorebieta-Etxano, Donostia-San Sebastián, Arrasate, Beasain, Irun, Eibar, and Tolosa, with varying operating hours depending on the location and day of the week.
