Portugal seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination

Portugal has established the framework for its 2026-2027 seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Under a regulation published in the Diário da República, participating pharmacies will receive 3.15 euros per vaccine administered, funded by the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS). This decentralized model aims to maintain public health protection and system response capacity.

The campaign is scheduled to run from September 30, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The National Health Service (SNS) has increased its supply, acquiring approximately 2.33 million standard-dose vaccines and 369,000 high-dose vaccines.

Key updates to the campaign include the expansion of free vaccination to children aged two to four years. For children aged six to 23 months with no prior vaccination history, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) recommends two doses to enhance protection and reduce community transmission.

Due to production issues at a pharmaceutical manufacturer reducing standard-dose availability in the private market, the DGS has extended free vaccination eligibility to healthcare professionals in private and social sector facilities, including those in inpatient, ambulatory surgery, obstetrics, neonatology, and dialysis units. Additionally, pharmacy-based vaccination access will be expanded for eligible individuals aged 18 to 59 with specific risk factors.