“We have enough vaccines for the people who need to be vaccinated, especially those who concern us the most, who are at higher risk, particularly those over 85 years old,” said Ana Paula Martins in Portimão.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to Portimão Hospital, the official confirmed that there “might be” health centers finishing their stock, noting that others “may have surplus vaccines,” leading to a redistribution of vaccines across health units.
Ana Paula Martins emphasized that vaccination is proceeding “at a very fast rate and on a large scale,” aiming to achieve last year’s 85% coverage, and acknowledged that some health centers may indeed have “reduced stocks.”
“I don’t have detailed information from Local Health Units (ULS) to ULS, but the executive director monitors the situation along with the Directorate-General for Health, and we ensure that vaccines won’t be lacking,” she stated.
For the Health Minister, it’s “not an issue” for a citizen to want or need a vaccine and not have it available at this moment: “That is absolutely out of the question.”
Ana Paula Martins began a tour of the Local Health Units across the country today as part of the preparation of the National Health Service (SNS) for the winter period.
