The Comisión de Salud Pública on Monday, 24 August, agreed with the autonomous communities to send 25,000 vaccine doses to the autonomous city of Ceuta . According to the Ministerio de Sanidad up to 15,000 doses are for MMR vaccination (measles, mumps and rubella) and up to 10,000 for diphtheria-tetanus vaccines. The aim is to immunise migrants and city residents who have not previously been vaccinated quickly, reducing the risk of outbreaks. The measure is being carried out through the inter-territorial solidarity mechanism.
The Ministry stresses that, according to the current assessment, there is no health emergency. The measures are preventive, intended to guard against “potential diseases”. Alongside vaccination, priority is being given to ensuring decent accommodation and hygienic conditions for those affected. The authorities have so far received no reports of an acute rise in notifiable diseases; the risk is being addressed in view of low vaccination rates among diverse groups of origin.
The convening of the meeting and the distribution of supplies drew criticism in some regions. The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, accused the Ministry of acting under pressure. The chair of the Partido Popular, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, had previously justified wider restrictions on migrants on the grounds of a supposed health risk. Health Minister Mónica García rejected such demands as unjustified and potentially counterproductive; the Ministerio de Sanidad stressed that the prevention measures adopted were proportionate.
Particularly vulnerable groups are to be prioritised initially, especially children, pregnant women and people without proof of vaccination. According to expert recommendations, rapid primary immunisation in the first few weeks significantly reduces the likelihood of outbreaks. In addition to MMR, vaccination against diphtheria, varicella and polio is a focus in Ceuta.
Operational logistics – delivery windows, storage, distribution points and support teams on the ground – are being coordinated between the Ministerio de Sanidad and regional health services. The first batches are expected shortly, with additional needs to be met through the solidarity mechanism. With this decision, Spain is pursuing a phased prevention strategy that combines medical measures with organisational improvements in accommodation, without declaring a public health emergency.
Editor: Clara Simonichek (Article created with AI assistance).