Flu and Covid jabs: union warns of appointment delays

Flu and Covid jabs must not mean longer shifts for health workers or delayed appointments for patients in Spain: a union is demanding extra staff as seasonal respiratory illness adds to the workload. On 16 October 2026, the Central Independent and Civil Servants’ Union (CSIF) called on Spain’s Ministry of Health and regional governments to plan staffing before the autumn gets busier.

The union wants staff hired specifically for the vaccination campaign and replacements brought in when workers are absent. It says primary care and nursing need particular attention, alongside doctors, technicians, administrative staff, porters and others who keep health centres running. It also opposes moving workers from other services that still need them.

CSIF says current figures do not show that Spain’s health system is overwhelmed across the board. Its concern is what happens if several respiratory illnesses put pressure on services at once: vaccination work could add to existing duties, extend shifts and make care harder to access.

The union also warns that staff shortages can mean fatigue, fewer breaks and greater exposure to biological hazards. It wants health services to review workplace risks when conditions change and ensure staff have the protection they need.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Health

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com