Health Ministry adds meningococcal B booster at age 12

The Department of Health of the Generalitat has modified the systematic vaccination schedule throughout life in the Valencian Community to incorporate a booster dose of the meningococcal B vaccine at age 12, in addition to expanding immunization against the human papillomavirus and the respiratory syncytial virus in adults. The measure is published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) no. 10480, dated October 27, 2026, section III, by means of the Resolution of October 6, 2026 of the Department of Health, with official reference DOGV-C-2026-31964. The regulation, signed by the regional minister Marciano Gómez Gómez, enters into force the day following its publication, that is, October 28, 2026.

The resolution modifies the Resolution of March 13, 2026, which updated the systematic vaccination schedule for that year. It is based on Law 33/2011, of October 4, general public health, on Royal Decree 1030/2006, which regulates the common service portfolio of the National Health System, and on Decree 99/2024, of August 2, of the Consell, which regulates the vaccination and immunization programs of the Valencian Community; its article 4 requires these programs to be approved at least once a year by means of a resolution from the head of the department competent in health.

According to the published text, the Valencian Community already vaccinates against meningococcal B during the first year of life, at 2, 4, and 12 months. Consolidated epidemiological surveillance data from 2025 show a predominance of serogroup B among the cases of invasive meningococcal disease recorded in adolescents and young people, and evidence indicates that the protection induced in childhood decreases over time, therefore adolescence is considered the appropriate stage to reinforce it.

Booster at 12 years and catch-up until 18

The second section of the resolution incorporates vaccination against meningococcal B (MenB) at age 12 into the systematic schedule, with a double application criterion:

Adolescents vaccinated against MenB during childhood: will receive a booster dose.
Previously unvaccinated adolescents: will be administered the corresponding schedule according to current recommendations and the vaccine’s technical data sheet.

Annex 1, in its section 5, maintains the MenB schedule at 2, 4, and 12 months and adds the booster at 12 years; furthermore, it sets vaccination with MenACWY at 4 and 12 months and at 12 years, with active catch-up until age 18, and vaccination in risk groups according to the current protocol.

HPV: catch-up for males born between 2001 and 2010

The strategy against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is extended up to age 25. The target population consists of males born between 2001 and 2010 and unvaccinated women up to age 25, through the recruitment of the former and the rescue of the latter. The objective is to expand protection against HPV infection and associated diseases in the young population. The annex sets one dose for girls and boys at age 12 and maintains vaccination for risk groups.

RSV: six very high-risk conditions from age 18

Vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is extended to the adult population with the following target population:

People aged 60 or older residing in elderly care centers.
People aged 18 or older with hematopoietic stem cell transplants or CAR-T cell therapy.
Solid organ transplant or inclusion on a transplant waiting list.
Hematologic cancer under active treatment or treated within the last six months.
Inborn errors of immunity.
Advanced HIV infection, with a CD4 lymphocyte count lower than 200/μl.
Chronic dialysis, peritoneal or hemodialysis.

Vaccination will be seasonal, and those who have already received it will not receive new doses unless there is sufficient evidence to establish revaccination.

Mandatory registration and development by protocol

All activity derived from the resolution must be registered in the Vaccination and Immunization Information System of the Comunitat Valenciana, in accordance with the obligation established by Decree 99/2024. Application criteria, guidelines, and recruitment procedures will be established by protocol or instruction from the Directorate General of Public Health.

The change affects thousands of Valencian families with adolescent children, young males who until now were excluded from the HPV schedule, and adult patients with greater vulnerability to RSV, who will be able to access the vaccine without waiting for the next annual calendar review.

Source: Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV), no. 10480, October 27, 2026, section III (Administrative acts, C) Other matters), p. 1 (official reference: DOGV-C-2026-31964).