At the press conference accompanying the covid-19 pandemic, Graça Freitas said that the National Health Service's vaccination campaign, which usually starts on October 15, will begin earlier with a first phase for which 350,000 vaccines are available.
Residents in nursing homes, health professionals, social workers who provide care and pregnant women are among the most vulnerable sectors and will be the first to be vaccinated, she said.
In the second phase, which will begin on October 19, other risk groups are included: people aged 65 and over and people with chronic diseases.
"We want to vaccinate as soon as possible and we are planning with regional health administrations to, if necessary, expand vaccination points to other community structures" in addition to health centres, said the head of DGS.
Graça Freitas appealed to everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, stressing that this year, with the pandemic, it is "even more important than ever to get vaccinated ".
In addition to free vaccines for people included in risk groups, there will be vaccines for sale in pharmacies that can be purchased with a prescription and can then be reimbursed.
In total, the NHS bought more than two million flu vaccines this year from two different companies, by public tender.
One of the companies has already delivered 150 thousand doses, to be distributed by the administrations and “very quickly” another delivery will arrive.
They are going to start vaccinating the fearful, gullible and ignorant in our society, also known as the most vulnerable! I wonder if we are going to be able to lock up those responsible for allowing this to take place once we start losing lives from the side effects for not testing vaccines properly which could take years!
By Anna from Madeira on 18 Sep 2020, 22:13
Thanks to the National Health Service for starting the flue vaccination period earlier, this year. I appreciate you for the many ways you work to keep us health.
By Sandra Bloom from Lisbon on 19 Sep 2020, 06:57
I have a second home in Lagos. I am Irish. Am I eligible for the flu vaccine in Lagos. If so where can I get it and how much will it cost. We have the European Healthe Insurance Card. Both me and my partner are over 65.
By Nora Nolan from Algarve on 24 Sep 2020, 21:56
Where may I get a flu shot near Vilamoura and how much will it cost...I am visiting from USA.
By Jeff Penick from Algarve on 06 Oct 2020, 19:57
This morning we were turned away at Silves health centre despite having had all our injections there in the past. We were told to go to Messines. My husband is 76 and there we were in terrible weather driving to Messines. It was chaos there and not even a sign for vaccinations. People were clustered, not socially distanced, half in and half out of the door. It was blowing a gale and pouring with rain.
We left, went home and decided to go privately and pay.
By Judith Peters from Algarve on 20 Oct 2020, 12:56
I am 60 years old and have always gotten the flu vaccine because of chronic bronchitis. Now all of a sudden there's a Covid19 pandemic and no flu vaccines available because of a shortage????? This is definitely not a coincidence!!!! Pharmacies every where I've been to have no more and my Post Medico turned me away because I'm not 65 years or older!!! So now younger people who also need the flu vaccine are being sent away. There will DEFINITELY be a lot more people who are going to get really sick this year with the Flu and hospitals are going to be overwhelmed not only with Covid19 but also bad Flu symptoms!! I really don't understand how the people responsible for the health system in Portugal can be sooo Stupid and Irresponsible!!! Sure they don't care who lives or dies as long as they and their families are OK!!! Shame on them and I hope Karma comes for them!!!
By Alda Fernandes from Lisbon on 22 Oct 2020, 21:16
I am a solo 68 year-old retiree, and a Portuguese resident, living in Sao Martino do Porto. I was called by the local Junta to get a free Flu Shot 2 weeks ago today. But l had to postpone it, in order to have emergency eye surgery. I made an appointment for a Flu shot at my local Saude clinic at the beginning of last week. I heard nothing, so I went back to the clinic today.
I was told that the Flu vaccination is NO LONGER AVAILABLE here, or in Caldas da Rhaina, or anywhere else in this region. Is this true for all of the Alcobaca area, or for all of Portugal? Any information and/or advice would be very appreciated. Obrigada.
By Andrea MARTIN from Other on 12 Nov 2020, 20:40
We are both residents, over 70. We cannot get a flu vaccination in Evora!
By Julie from Alentejo on 19 Dec 2020, 19:08