Experts from both national and international arenas convened at an event organized by the Adult Immunization Board (AIB) between Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss vaccination policies and strategies aimed at healthcare professionals, pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
The proposals revealed today include measures to incorporate immunization into healthy aging and longevity policies, aligning with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Experts highlighted the necessity for Portugal to align itself with the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), a global strategy by the World Health Organization (WHO) to maximize the impact of vaccines.
According to the WHO, if fully implemented, IA2030 could save 50 million lives by 2030, ensuring that people of all ages worldwide have access to immunization.
At the AIB meeting, experts suggested expanding the National Vaccination Program (PNV) to include more vaccines and eliminating the requirement for a medical prescription.
Discussions also covered the establishment of co-payment or reimbursement adjusted to income, ensuring greater equity in access, as well as improvements in procurement systems, which could result in savings and allow the introduction of new vaccines into the PNV.
Ahead of the event, pulmonologist Filipe Froes acknowledged that the PNV remains “very focused” on pediatric ages, noting that it has not yet been properly adapted to a lifelong immunization program.
To increase vaccination coverage rates, especially among the elderly population, Filipe Froes suggests adopting the “95-95-95” strategy to achieve 95% vaccination coverage in seniors over 65, chronic patients, and healthcare professionals, significantly reducing the impact of infection.
During the two-day event, specialists emphasized the need for “targeted communication based on evidence that links vaccination to healthy aging, chronic disease prevention, and quality of life.”
The meeting’s conclusions recommended combating misinformation with clear messages tailored to different audiences, balancing scientific rigor and accessible language.
“The population should be treated as partners and not just targets of campaigns. Translating efficacy and coverage rates into tangible metrics—such as hospital beds saved—can reinforce trust among healthcare professionals and citizens,” the summary noted.
Experts further recommended continuous training for healthcare professionals and easier access to updated information in practical formats.
In terms of logistics, the maintenance and expansion of vaccination sites through collaboration between the National Health Service (SNS) and pharmacies were advocated, along with active invitations to eligible groups and simplified scheduling initiatives, like the “open house” model.
