Portugal expands free flu shots to young children
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Portugal’s Directorate-General of Health (DGS) will begin a seasonal flu vaccination campaign on September 30, 2026, and continue it to March 31, 2027. This year, the program extends free vaccinations to children between two and four years old.
The DGS purchased approximately 2.3 million standard-dose and 369,000 high-dose flu vaccines to support the campaign, an increase of 187,000 and 12,000 doses respectively from the previous year. Health officials aim to ensure enough vaccine is available for anyone who wants it.
The DGS also recommends two doses for children aged six to 23 months who have never been vaccinated against the flu, to increase their protection and limit the spread of the illness. Vaccinations will take place in National Health Service facilities, as well as authorized private and social sector hospitals and clinics. Pharmacies will also administer flu vaccines to people aged 18 to 59 with qualifying risk factors, increasing access to vaccinations.
Alongside the flu campaign, Portugal will also run a COVID-19 vaccination campaign from September 30 to March 31. The DGS shifted the age recommendation for COVID-19 vaccines from 60 to 70 years old, while continuing to vaccinate people with health conditions that increase the risk of severe illness. The health authority emphasizes these seasonal vaccinations will reduce severe illness, hospitalizations, and strain on healthcare services during the winter months.
