Giuseppe Lami / Epa
Free flu vaccine for children between 6 and 23 months and reimbursed for both years. In addition to the younger ones, DGS recommends vaccination against influenza and Covid-19 over 60, chronic patients of all ages and health professionals.
The campaign of seasonal vaccination Against the flu and Covid-19 this Tuesday starts in units of the National Health Service (NHS) and 2,500 pharmacies. The campaign extends until April 30, 2026, although the goal is to vaccinate until December 15, before the usual influenza peak.
The goal is to vaccinate 2.5 million people against the flu and 1.5 million against Covid-19 until Christmas, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) announced.
Vaccination for babies and children
Under the motto “vaccinate and protect the most important moments”, the campaign brings as new Free vaccination against influenza for babies and children between six and 23 months, and reimbursed for those from both to five.
The Deputy Director General of Health, André Peralta Santos, called for parents to vaccinate their young children, remembering that This age group has hospitalization and intensive care rates equivalent to those registered between elderly people.
“Children may develop serious illness that often causes hospitalization. After the flu, they are also more vulnerable to secondary bacterial infections. We have a safe vaccine That helps prevent these complications and pass the winter with less illness, ”he said.
“You can call your health center or eventually receive a call from your family nurse to schedule vaccination if you understand it,” he said, stressing that “vaccination is always a free choice.”
Regarding children between the age of two and the age of five, he advised to talk to the family doctor or the pediatrician who accompanies the child to discuss vaccination. If they choose to vaccinate, “a revenue” of the flu vaccine is passed that can be administered at the Health Center.
“It continues to cause serious illness”
In addition to the younger ones, DGS recommends vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 over 60 years, chronic patients of all ages and health professionals. People between 60 and 84 can be vaccinated at the health center or pharmacies. The over 85 years old will have access to a flu -dose flu vaccine for greater protection.
O Objective is to vaccinate until December 15before the usual peak of the flu. But the Campaign extends until April 30, 2026.
According to André Peralta Santos, although Covid-19 no longer causes hospital pressure as in the early years of the pandemic, “It continues to cause serious illness”so vaccinating the largest number of people “is fundamental to prevent hospitalizations.”
The president of the National Pharmacy Association (ANF), Ema Paulino, reinforced the appeal, warning of the growth of vaccination hesitation and misinformation.
“Vaccination is a safe, fast and effective act of personal and collective protection”he said.
