Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations begin this Tuesday

The flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign kicks off this Tuesday in NHS units and pharmacies, aiming to immunize 2.5 million people against the flu and 1.5 million against Covid-19 by Christmas, the Directorate-General for Health announced.

Under the motto "Get vaccinated and protect the most important moments", the seasonal campaign brings as a novelty the free vaccination against flu for all children between six and 23 months, and a subsidized vaccination for those between two and five years old, the deputy director-general of Health, André Peralta Santos, told the Lusa news agency.

"This year we have something new that is also due to the fact that, in babies and children up to five years old, the flu causes illness that often ends in hospitalization, fortunately with full recovery," he highlighted.

André Peralta Santos reminded those over 60, chronically ill people of all ages, and healthcare professionals that they should be vaccinated against the flu and Covid-19, emphasizing the importance of immunization against these viruses, which "continue to cause serious illness, especially in the elderly."

People between the ages of 60 and 84 can get vaccinated at health centers or pharmacies. As in the previous campaign, those over 85, who are at greater risk of developing severe flu, will have access to "a vaccine with a reinforced dose that provides extra protection."

André Peralta Santos assured that there are vaccines for all people eligible for vaccination, stressing that the goal is to vaccinate around 2.5 million people against the flu and 1.5 million against Covid-19 before Christmas.

"This is important and somewhat related to this year's motto," he said, explaining that winter has "very important moments" of festivities and, therefore, the importance of people getting vaccinated by, ideally, December 15th, despite the campaign extending throughout the winter.

Regarding vaccine hesitancy, the Deputy Director-General of Health reinforced that the flu and Covid-19 vaccines are "very safe" and represent the "simplest and most effective means" of preventing serious illness caused by these viruses.

"Every year we know that the flu, especially in the months of December and January, peaks and is very common. Therefore, we want the Portuguese to get vaccinated to protect themselves against this serious illness," he added.

When asked about the current circulation of the Covid-19 virus, André Peralta Santos explained that, despite the increase in the summer months, it did not cause constraints to health services, as it did in the early years of the pandemic.

"It continues to cause serious illness, fortunately much less than it once did." Hence the goal of "vaccinating as many people as possible" to prevent severe forms of the disease.

But he added: "The volume of Covid-19 patients is not something that causes us concern that it could create constraints in emergency rooms or hospital admissions."

The 2025-2026 autumn-winter seasonal vaccination campaign will take place between September 23 and April 30, 2026, in health units of the National Health Service and community pharmacies.

In a note sent to the Lusa news agency, the president of the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), Ema Paulino, said that the campaign will take place in 2,500 pharmacies, targeting people aged between 60 and 84.

Ema Paulino warned of the rise in vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, both nationally and internationally, urging people to trust science.

"Vaccination is a safe, quick, and effective form of individual and collective protection," he stressed, urging eligible individuals to schedule their appointments now and prepare for "the months of greatest virus circulation."