ARCHIVED - Covid jabs are available to everyone in Murcia; including those with private health insurance

Make sure that details are properly registered with the health service; even those with private medical insurance can be added to the vaccine database

How to get access to the COVID vaccine is a hot topic amongst foreign residents in the Murcia region with notable and not unjustified confusion amongst those with private medical insurance who are unsure whether they will also be given access to the vaccine.

However, the good news is that everyone who wants to be vaccinated is included in the vaccine roll-out.
In order to be vaccinated, the most important basic step is to ensure that name and contact details are included in the Public Health Service Database known as the Base de Datos de personas usuarias (BDU).

Any registered user of the Public Health Service in the Murcia region with a Tarjeta Sanitaria (Health Card) is automatically included in the database.

However, it is important to check that details held on the database are correct, particularly for those using mobile phones, who may not have registered their mobile number on health records.

Details can be checked in person at the local health centre in which any individual is registered, or those who have an electronic signature, can review and update details online via the Portal del Paciente of the Murcian regional health service. It is necessary to create an account in order to use this, either in person at your health centre or using an electronic signature online.

Those currently registered with the health service will be contacted once their specific age group is reached.

Private health insurance

There are many early retirees who are not registered with the health system as they fall outside of the conditions for free healthcare in Spain. However, these individuals are still entitled to a vaccination, but must register with the health authority in order to be included in the vaccine list.

Those who are not in the health service database because they have private health insurance, are registered elsewhere or are not on the register for any other reason, can be added to this database by filling in a form at their nearest health centre together with DNI, NIE or Passport. Bringing one or two photocopies of every document proving identity or residency is usually guaranteed to smooth the way.

Or use this link on the Murcia health service webpage to register online: https://portalsalud.carm.es/portalsalud/principal/inicio?fbclid=IwAR0SEzhMjjtlfbDRIvVxWaVMCBUepsZUfFucL8wIUu29ATv6hqXygSaAjyE#extranjeros

It’s also highly advisable to check with your private health advisor for any specific local information or instructions.

Anyone concerned that the vaccine rollout has passed them by should contact their local health centre and get registered, taking a translator if they do not speak Spanish.

Daily updated information about the vaccine rollout is published in English on www.murciatoday.com