Portugal has started the most recent flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign. In this campaign, millions of people are expected to be protected against the flu and COVID-19 by a government plan. Portugal’s health officials got 2.5 million flu shots including doses for everybody as well as 2.1 million COVID-19 vaccinations. This year, everyone will be able to quickly get the necessary vaccinations without trouble.
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Availability Of Vaccines
The Directorate General for Health (DGS) concluded that the country has sufficient number of vaccines to fulfill the demand. Pharmacies and National Health Service (SNS) centers will have these vaccines available. People can get these vaccines from any center that is more near to them.
The Directorate General for Health (DGS) said:
2.1 million Covid-19 vaccines were purchased (mainland Portugal and Autonomous Regions) and 2.5 million flu vaccines for mainland Portugal (2.1 million standard dose and 360 thousand high dose vaccines). Sufficient flu and Covid-19 vaccines were purchased for all eligible individuals who show an interest in being vaccinated.
People who are 85 and above can get the booster dose for extra protection in this year’s campaign. The National Network of Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI) and those living in nursing homes and other similar healthcare institutions will be included in the vaccination program.
The Director-General of Health, Rita Sá Machado, emphasized that the plan is to vaccinate people when they already go to regular consultations at local health clinics. This way, they don’t have to make extra excursions.
She stated in an interview with the Lusa news agency:
What we are seeing is an attempt to minimise the number of people going to health centres. What does that mean? Someone aged 85 or over (…) has their routine appointments. We want to take advantage of this moment (…) to be the moment for vaccination
However, people who are 84 and younger will need to go to medical centers for their vaccinations. The DGS believes that the new method will help to simplify the process by minimizing congestion and ensuring that everyone receives their shot quickly and safely.
Free Vaccinations For Aged People
Vaccinations are free and can be used by those who are 60 or older. It is also accessible to people living and staff in nursing homes, persons with chronic health problems, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and other professionals who work in care or patient transport.
The vaccination is also available to firefighters engaged in patient transport, pharmacy workers, caretakers for dependent persons, homeless people, and jail prisoners.
Community pharmacies will provide the vaccines to anyone between the ages of 60 and 84. This makes it simpler for people to be healthy and prevent the flu and COVID-19, even if they do not often visit a medical center.
Government’s Investment In The Vaccination Campaign
A vaccination program is receiving 7.6 million euros from the Portuguese government. By the end of November, they want to have vaccinated every person as possible. This will allow more people to get treatment before flu season starts.
Pharmacies who take part in the campaign will be given three euros for each vaccination. They will also get an additional amount to cover waste management expenses. The reimbursement depends on pharmacies sustaining vaccine waste below 1.5% which is consistent with the SNS’s instructions.
The DGS has provided specific guidelines to make things as simple as possible for the public and medical professionals for this year’s vaccination campaign. It is the goal of the DGS to provide a simple and efficient procedure for everyone by focusing on pharmacies and health facilities.
It is still very important to vaccinate older people and those living in nursing homes. These people need to get their vaccinations as soon as possible. Because they are more vulnerable to major side effects from both the flu and COVID-19.
