ARCHIVED - Under 19s in Valencia region to be vaccinated in first week of September

The regional government is bidding for 'herd immunity' by October across the three provinces, including Alicante, by mid-September.

As the Valencia region accelerates its vaccination campaign amidst rising infections, the Ministry of Health plans to start vaccinating those under 19 in the first week of September, with a view to achieving 70 per cent 'herd immunity' by the 15th.

During a press conference speech after a meeting of the Covid Interdepartmental Commission on Thursday, in which restrictions were tightened to curb the spiralling cases of coronavirus, president of the regional government, Ximo Puig outlined the vaccination schedule for the next two months.

"In the first week of August the vaccination of 20 to 29-year-olds will begin, a week earlier than expected, and in the first week of September, those under 19 will receive their doses," he said.

Meanwhile, a large portion of those aged between 60 and 65 are waiting for the second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine, who he assured will "receive full vaccination between this week and next".

According to the region's health data, the majority of those aged 30 to 39 had received at least one dose by the end of June, with the primary dose being administered to almost all people in the largest age group, 40 to 49, this week.

"Between the first and second week of September 70 per cent of the population will be fully immunised", said Puig, adding that, "by October 9 we expect the whole Valencian Community to be immunised".

The regional government is focusing on younger people after data showed that coronavirus outbreaks increased by 137 per cent from June 28 to July 4, with 63 per cent of them originating amongst 15 to 34-year-olds, compared to 24 per cent between 35 and 64.

IMAGE: GVA