The free flu vaccination campaign has been expanded this year to include all children aged six to 23 months as part of the 2025-2026 autumn-winter seasonal campaign, commencing today at National Health Service (SNS) health units and 2,500 pharmacies, and continuing until April 30, 2026.
The Directorate-General of Health (DGS) additionally recommends vaccination for children between two and five years old to prevent severe illness, with the vaccine being subsidized in these instances.
The health authority supports this decision with national data indicating that this age group shows hospitalization and intensive care rates comparable to those observed among older people.
In statements to the agency, the Deputy Director-General of Health, André Peralta Santos, emphasized that this recommendation is not unique to Portugal, noting that “there are other countries in the European Union and, for example, the United Kingdom, which is not in the European Union, that also recommend flu vaccination for children.”
The official explained that children can develop “severe illness, which often leads to hospitalization,” although, “fortunately, it does not cause death, as it does among the elderly.”
“It is an extremely rare event,” said André Peralta Santos.
In addition to hospitalizations directly caused by the flu, the Deputy Director-General warned of the risk of secondary infections.
“After the flu episode, children often have other bacterial infections, as they become more vulnerable to these infections (…) and it is proven that we have a safe vaccine that can protect these children from flu episodes, allowing them to spend the winter with less illness,” he stated.
In light of this situation, the Deputy Director-General of Health urged “all parents” to vaccinate their babies and children aged six months to two years with the flu vaccine.
“They can call their health center or possibly receive a call from their family nurse to schedule the vaccination if they wish,” he said, emphasizing that “vaccination is always a free choice.”
Regarding children between the ages of two and five, he advised consulting with the family doctor or pediatrician who cares for the child to discuss vaccination.
Should parents choose to vaccinate, “a prescription is issued” for the flu vaccine, which can be administered at the health center.
