The Diplomat in Spain

The Diplomat

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has informed the staff of the State Administration abroad that they and their families will be able to receive the third dose of the vaccine or the booster dose if they travel to Spain in the coming weeks.

In a letter sent to all staff abroad, as reported by The Objective and Europa Press, Albares reminded them that the latest update of the COVID-19 Strategy recommends the administration of a third booster dose of the vaccine, starting with those over 60 years of age, and that those who have been vaccinated exclusively with Janssen should receive a booster dose.

In view of this circumstance, he has informed them that the Ministry’s International Vaccination Centre “is available to public employees of the General State Administration posted abroad, and their family members living with them, who are travelling to Spain and have not been able to receive the corresponding dose in the country of destination”.

Those who have not yet received the full vaccination schedule in the countries where they are stationed can also take advantage of their Christmas trip to Spain to receive the pending doses.

The vaccination of personnel posted abroad was the subject of a dispute between the previous foreign minister, Arancha González Laya, and the trade unions that represent them. Initially, the ministry tried to guarantee the vaccination of its staff through reciprocity agreements with the destination countries, offering to vaccinate the staff of these countries in Spain.

The unions complained that this was not a solution for those posted to countries where there is no strong health system and where vaccinations could take a long time to reach, and demanded a solution for them.

After weeks of tension, the Foreign Ministry announced in early June that Janssen’s single-dose vaccine would be sent to those countries where vaccination was not possible by other means, but it was finally Albares’ arrival at the Palace of Santa Cruz that would unblock the problem.

Thus, a week after his appointment, he sent a letter to all staff abroad to inform them that they and their families could be vaccinated at the International Vaccination Centre when they passed through Spain.