In a press conference, the Deputy Secretary of State and Health said that the 1.5 million people who were already planned until December will be vaccinated, with the reinforcement of the respective vaccines, as well as the progressive expansion of vaccination against Covid-19 for citizens who “are now part of the plan, so that in January 2.5 million people will be vaccinated”.

“For this, we will have the vaccination centres open on the 5th, 8th, 12th and 19th of December to vaccinate the population over 50 years old to whom the Janssen vaccine was administered”, said António Lacerda Sales.

According to the secretary of state, there are more than 250,000 people in this situation, with the rest being progressively scheduled by age group until January.

Last week, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) announced that people aged 18 and over who received Janssen's Covid-19 vaccine will be able to receive a booster dose 90 days after administration of the first.

The booster dose will be the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, with approximately one million people eligible.

The Secretary of State also revealed that the Ministry of Health is reviewing the vaccination plan so that the entire universe of new eligible people is integrated.

“Not only is a survey being carried out on the needs of reopening vaccination centres, but also on strengthening the work in close partnership with local authorities and the social sector that have contributed to the success of vaccination in Portugal”, he said.

The Directorate-General for Health also decided to shorten the interval between the second and third doses from six to five months, as well as administering a booster to those over 65, health professionals, the social sector and firefighters who have recovered from the disease and received a dose.