Seasonal vaccination against Covid-19 will be extended, from Monday, to the population over 18 years old, with people over 50 years old also being able to be vaccinated against the flu, according to the DGS.
The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) states that the seasonal autumn-winter 2023-2024 vaccination against Covid-19 will be extended to the population between 18 and 59 years old and flu vaccination to people aged 50 to 59 years.
The DGS rule, which comes into force from Monday, comes at a time when there is intense flu activity and an excess of general weekly mortality from all causes.
The DGS also indicates that the expansion of free seasonal vaccination is also related to the current availability of vaccines.
To date, taking the flu and covid-19 vaccine is recommended for people aged 60 and over.
According to the Directorate-General for Health, this expansion of the groups eligible for vaccination was preceded by an evaluation by the Technical Committee for Seasonal Vaccination.
“The expansion of flu vaccination is carried out according to the doses available, with priority given to older people. The expansion to other age groups will be considered in the coming weeks, taking into account the availability of vaccines, and as long as the objective of achieving the best vaccination coverage in the eligible population is maintained”, states the DGS.
This organization emphasizes that the promotion of vaccination for those aged 60 or over, and for people with comorbidities and healthcare professionals, remains a priority.
Vaccination is available at around 3.500 vaccination points, approximately 2.500 pharmacies and 1.000 primary health care units of the National Health Service.
This winter, the flu has been one of the main reasons for the huge influx of people at hospitals and health centers, as well as abstention from work.
Data released on Friday indicate that Portugal recorded 5.542 deaths in the first two weeks of 2024, being the beginning of the year in which more people died since 2021, during the worst phase of the covid-19 pandemic in the country.
The Death Certificate Information System (SICO) shows that 513 people died on New Year's Day, a number that has never been reached on January 01st in the last 10 years.
According to information published on the SICO website, from the first day of the year until today, mortality has remained “much higher than expected”.
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