Pharmacists urge early flu shots as seasonal campaign opens
Portugal's Order of Pharmacists is urging people to get vaccinated against the flu without delay, warning that the immune system needs time to respond before infections peak. The bastonário (head of the professional order), Helder Mota Filipe, said community pharmacists are running a campaign to actively encourage vaccination among people over 60.
"It is important that people get vaccinated quickly, the sooner the better, so that the immune system responds to the vaccine and is prepared at the moment of the infection peak," Mota Filipe said.
The seasonal vaccination campaign launched on 30 September 2026 and runs until 31 March 2027. It brings several changes to who can get free shots and where.
Who can use pharmacies for free flu shots
Community pharmacies have become a central part of Portugal's vaccination infrastructure. This year, the rules have expanded:
• People aged 60 to 84 can receive free flu vaccines at participating pharmacies, regardless of whether they have underlying health conditions.
• Adults aged 18 to 59 with eligible risk conditions can now also get free flu shots at pharmacies. This covers chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, liver disease, and metabolic disorders, among others.
The Order of Pharmacists welcomed the expansion for younger adults with risk conditions. "This increases access for people under 60 who have risk pathologies. It is a positive aspect and one of solidarity," Mota Filipe said.
The dispute over the over-85s
A disagreement remains over where the oldest residents can get their shots. People aged 85 and over must still use Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) facilities for their free flu vaccines, according to Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) guidelines.
These older residents receive a high-dose vaccine, as do residents aged 60 and over living in care homes, temporary shelters, or within the integrated continuing care network. The DGS has kept administration of this high-dose vaccine within the health service rather than allowing pharmacies to administer it.
"It is a divergence we maintain with the DGS," Mota Filipe said. "The person [over 85] should be able to decide, like everyone else can, according to their preferences and convenience, whether to be vaccinated at a health centre or a pharmacy."
He argued that ease of access drives vaccination coverage. "If I had difficulty understanding last year, I have more difficulty this year, because if they were logistical problems, we had a year to solve them," he added.
New groups and expanded coverage
The DGS has broadened free flu vaccination to children aged 2 to 4 years. However, this age group must receive their shots at SNS units or authorised private and social sector hospitals and clinics, not at pharmacies.
The SNS purchased approximately 2.3 million standard-dose vaccines and 369,000 high-dose vaccines for this campaign. This represents an increase of 187,000 standard doses and 12,000 high-dose vaccines compared with last year.
Other eligible groups, who should use SNS facilities or authorised vaccination points, include:
• Pregnant women
• SNS healthcare professionals
• Firefighters with direct contact with high-risk individuals
• Prisoners and homeless people
• Care workers in private and social sector facilities with inpatient care, outpatient surgery, obstetrics and neonatology, dialysis units, and permanent care facilities
COVID-19 vaccination changes
The COVID-19 vaccination guidance has shifted. The age threshold for recommendation has risen from 60 to 70 years. Vaccination continues for people with conditions or pathologies associated with higher risk of severe illness, and for residents in particularly vulnerable settings.
Pharmacies can administer COVID-19 vaccines to people aged 18 to 69 with risk pathologies. People aged 70 to 84 can receive the vaccine at pharmacies regardless of underlying conditions.
What it means for residents
The flu season typically peaks between December and February. Getting vaccinated in autumn allows about two weeks for antibodies to develop. For someone living in Portugal, the key practical points are:
• Check your age group and eligibility before heading to a pharmacy
• Children aged 2 to 4 and adults over 85 must use SNS facilities
• Adults 60 to 84 can choose between pharmacies and health centres
• Adults 18 to 59 with chronic conditions should confirm their eligibility at participating pharmacies
• Pharmacists can now provide both flu and COVID-19 vaccines to wider groups
Mota Filipe acknowledged that annual changes to age thresholds and eligibility "can confuse" the public. He stressed the need for clear, simple communication to maintain vaccination coverage rates.
For pharmacies, participation in the vaccination campaign is voluntary. The Ministry of Health has set a payment of €3.15 per vaccine administered by participating pharmacies.
