The Seasonal Health Response Plan for winter is activated in mainland Portugal from October 1 to April 30 and potentially at other times, based on risk assessment, the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) announced on its website. The plan should include three contingency levels, activation criteria, and accompanying measures to ensure a response at each level.
The DGS document aims to reduce the impact of cold and seasonal acute respiratory infections, particularly among the most vulnerable and high-risk groups; ensure timely access to health care for the population; promote the effectiveness of care provided to the population; and increase levels of health literacy.
According to the DGS, the winter plan serves as a guiding tool that promotes alignment with specific contingency plans, developed by Local Health Units (ULS) and institutions within the National Health Service (SNS) not integrated into ULS (such as oncology institutes).
“Its implementation includes defining objectives, methodologies, measures, and activities, as well as the most appropriate information/communication circuits for each level of contingency,” it states.
The Seasonal Health Response Plan for winter emphasizes the necessity for all SNS services and establishments to implement specific contingency plans within the scope of prevention, preparation, and response to risks and events associated with winter and summer seasonality.
The guidelines from the DGS, in cooperation with the SNS Executive Directorate, aim to reduce mortality and morbidity associated with extreme cold and related health phenomena (such as seasonal acute respiratory infections) and promote optimization of the health service response in a seasonal context.
Therefore, the DGS highlights preventive measures such as hygiene and respiratory etiquette, correct and frequent hand disinfection, cleaning and disinfection of equipment and surfaces, and ventilation of indoor spaces.
Additionally, the organization from the Ministry of Health emphasizes the importance of implementing infection control measures within continued and palliative care networks, as well as in social sector institutions (residential support structures for the elderly, nursing homes, and day centers), in addition to hospital and primary care networks.
The document further states that whenever the local risk assessment justifies it, the recommendation and adoption of exceptional measures should be communicated to the DGS and DE-SNS (sa**********@***********de.pt or re*************@***********de.pt).
The contingency plan recalls the seasonal vaccination campaign, emphasizing its operational goal to ensure vaccination coverage for eligible populations.
The Fall-Winter 2025-2026 Seasonal vaccination campaign against flu and COVID-19 takes place between September 23 and April 30, 2026, in SNS health units and community pharmacies.
