Vaccination news in Portugal

More than 31,000 children in mainland Portugal received immunisations against Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the first month of the seasonal campaign, according to the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS). The campaign runs through 31 March and targets around 84,000 eligible infants, including premature babies and children at high clinical risk. Health officials reported strong early uptake, aiming to prevent severe pediatric respiratory infections and ease seasonal pressure on hospitals.

The Portuguese Nurses' Union Association (Associação Sindical Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros or ASPE) warned of persistent technical failures in Portugal's national vaccination platform. The union called on the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde or SPMS) to implement urgent fixes to resolve operational bottlenecks. Nurses noted that the technical issues are creating delays in administering and recording vaccines.

Update: Health Agency Acknowledges Constraints but Defends Vaccine Rollout

SPMS acknowledged technical constraints in the vaccination platform caused by heavy demand at the launch of the seasonal vaccination drive for flu and COVID-19. The agency stated that the glitches never put the national vaccination program at risk, following complaints raised by ASPE.

The national flu vaccination campaign begins on 30 September and will run until 31 March 2027. For the first time, the Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) has expanded free access to include children aged two to four, who can receive the vaccine at public health units.

The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) has expanded the national vaccination program to include free HPV vaccines for women up to age 26. The initiative aims to reach individuals who missed the recommended vaccination age. Men remain eligible for the vaccine under the program until age 18.