The seasonal vaccination campaign against flu and COVID-19 for this autumn and winter begins on Tuesday and will be available in pharmacies and primary care units of the National Health Service (SNS).
In a joint statement released today, the Portuguese Lung Foundation, Respira – Portuguese Association of People with COPD and Other Chronic Respiratory Diseases, and the Health in Dialogue Platform, which represent dozens of patient associations, emphasize the importance of vaccination “for the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and chronic patients.”
With this joint declaration, the three entities have aligned themselves with the conclusions of the 2023 Flu Vaccination Consensus Meetings, already endorsed by six scientific societies.
“Flu vaccines are safe and effective, and high-dose inactivated vaccines should be prioritized for everyone aged 65 or older,” states the position of the three associations.
The statement further emphasizes that vaccination against influenza “is essential to reduce the disease burden and its complications” in high-risk groups, such as children, pregnant women, chronic patients and the elderly, but also in healthcare professionals, given their increased exposure to the virus and patients at risk of transmission.
The conclusions of the Flu Vaccination Consensus Meetings were previously endorsed by the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, Portuguese Society of Diabetology, Portuguese Society of Cardiology, Portuguese Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (Geriatrics Study Group), and Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology.
In the vaccination campaign starting Tuesday, the high-dose flu vaccine will be available for all individuals aged 85 or older and for residents in residential aged care facilities, similar institutions, and the National Network of Continuing Integrated Care (RNCCI).
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination is recommended and free for eligible groups, taking place at SNS health units for children aged 6 to 23 months and people aged 60 and above, including those aged 85 or more.
Vaccination is also advised at SNS health units for professionals and residents of aged care residential structures (ERPI), similar facilities, and RNCCI, pregnant women, healthcare professionals (public and private), students in clinical internships, firefighters involved in patient transport, caregivers of dependent individuals, pharmaceutical distribution professionals, homeless individuals, and prison establishments.
In community pharmacies, vaccination is recommended for users aged 60 to 84 and healthcare professionals.
