The next vaccination campaign for vaccines against Covid-19 and against the flu for people over 65 years of age and people with comorbidities will begin on September 5, announced the general director of Health, Graça Freitas. The goal is to finish this phase in Decemberalthough the process is not closed and may depend on the epidemiological evolution.
At a joint press conference, the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, revealed this Wednesday that Portugal has 6.9 million vaccines against Covid-19 in stock. For the next vaccination plan, the country spent 15 million euros in the purchase of the flu vaccine, which this year will be reinforced tetravalent — and “will be used for the first time in Portugal”
The goal is to opt “whenever possible” for the co-administration strategy of the two vaccines, said Graça Freitas, who explained that the period between doses (or infection) is three months, so “to simplify the process”. The regime will begin with those over 80 years of age and will last until December in a decreasing manner until reaching the 65-year-old section.
In addition to those over 65 years of age, people over 18 who have “chronic diseases, heart or neuromuscular failure”, as well as “health professionals and employees” will be vaccinated in this double schedule. Pregnant women will also benefit from the flu shot.
Graça Freitas highlighted that Portugal has “very high vaccination coverage” and that 40% of people eligible for the second booster dose have already been vaccinated.
However, this strategy is based on the assumption that variants maintain a profile similar to those in circulationthat the effectiveness of the vaccine against serious illness and death remains similar to the current one and that the plan will be developed “with the available vaccines” at that time, Graça Freitas said.
Source: Observadora
