In a response sent to Lusa, the DGS stated that “2.1 million vaccines against Covid-19 were acquired (mainland Portugal and Autonomous Regions) and 2.5 million vaccines against flu for mainland Portugal (2.1 million standard dose and 360,000 high dose vaccines)”, without indicating the value of the investment.

Last week, the organisation had said that “sufficient flu and Covid-19 vaccines had been purchased for all eligible individuals who show an interest in being vaccinated” at the National Health Service (SNS) health units and in pharmacies.

This year, the booster dose of the flu vaccination will be extended to people aged 85 or over, in addition to people living in nursing homes, similar institutions and the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care (RNCCI).

In statements to the Lusa news agency, the Director-General of Health, Rita Sá Machado, recalled that people aged over 84 would only be vaccinated “in a health centre setting”.

“What we are seeing is an attempt to minimise the number of people going to health centres. What does that mean? Someone aged 85 or over (…) has their routine appointments. We want to take advantage of this moment (…) to be the moment for vaccination”, she stated.

The 2024-2025 autumn-winter seasonal vaccination campaign begins next week.

The Government will spend 7.6 million euros on vaccination against Covid-19 and flu in pharmacies and wants to have more people vaccinated by the end of November than in 2023.