Portugal’s Winter Vaccination Drive Only Halfway to Target

More than a million COVID-19 boosters and almost two million flu shots have already been given in Portugal, yet health officials say the country is only halfway to its winter target. The pace of vaccination has been brisk since late September, but the next six weeks will determine whether hospitals can avoid another January crunch.

At a glance

The autumn-winter drive that began on 23 September has chalked up 1.089 M COVID vaccines and 1.906 M influenza doses by 12 November. Authorities want to reach 1.5 M COVID and 2.5 M flu inoculations before the end of April, ideally hitting four million combined by Christmas. Coverage is strongest among the over-85s, where almost three-quarters received the flu jab, yet barely one-half of that same age group accepted the updated coronavirus booster.

A campaign at halfway point

Health-centre nurses in Porto, Braga and Faro say the dual roll-out has so far been smoother than last year thanks to a more stable supply chain. The SNS shipped doses directly to hospital hubs while the public procurement arm, SUCH, handled storage and logistics. An early October cold snap nudged daily demand above 60 000 jabs, but uptake has since levelled off at around 35 000 a day, a rhythm that would leave Portugal shy of its New Year ambition.

Who is rolling up their sleeves

Demographers note a familiar pattern: older adults, people with chronic conditions and health professionals remain the most reliable comers. In the 85-plus cohort flu coverage is 74 %, yet the same population shows only 52 % for COVID boosters. For the 70-79 age band, coronavirus protection hovers near 51 %, while influenza climbs closer to 65 %. Uptake among parents of very young children—eligible for a free flu shot for the first time this season—stands out as a bright spot in Lisbon’s coastal suburbs but lags inland, where paediatricians report confusion about scheduling.

Pharmacies stepping up

Community farmácias have administered nearly 50 % of every jab given so far, validating the Ministry of Health’s bet on a decentralised model. Pharmacists, who signed new reimbursement contracts worth up to €7.6 M, say convenience is luring working-age adults who missed their appointment slips. Some stores now open on Sundays after the football to catch family traffic, a tactic credited for boosting weekend figures in Setúbal and Leiria.

The stakes for the NHS

Last winter, high vaccine coverage correlated with fewer critical-care admissions; only 13 of the 57 ICU flu patients had been vaccinated. With both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A already co-circulating, infectious-disease specialists warn that even a modest rise in co-infections could squeeze emergency rooms that are still grappling with staff shortages. The Directorate-General of Health insists that pushing booster rates above 60 % in seniors could shave dozens of daily hospitalisations off the January peak.

What happens next

A fresh communication blitz—“Vacine-se e proteja os momentos mais importantes”—will flood radio, television and social media from Monday. Officials hope the campaign, plus extended pharmacy hours, will add 400 000 extra doses before Christmas lights switch on across the country. If that surge arrives, Portugal could once again rank among the European leaders in winter vaccination, easing pressure on the Serviço Nacional de Saúde just as seasonal viruses reach their stride.