This Monday, the health minister called for vaccination, particularly for priority groups, at a time when there is a flu epidemic, but there is a lack of vaccines in pharmacies for non-priority groups. A The pharmaceutical industry says it is not expected to send more doses.
There are no longer any flu vaccines available in pharmacies across the country for those who have a prescription but do not belong to risk groups. And the pharmaceutical industry clarifies that there is no plan to increase stocks.
Continue only around 200 thousand vaccines availablebut only for those who are part of priority groups for flu vaccination, eligible for a free vaccine through the National Health Service.
“Right now, what we are doing is vaccinating the at-risk population with vaccines from the National Health Servicewhich are the ones we have available and where people can, essentially, get vaccinated for free, both against Covid and the flu. Regarding vaccines for the private contingent, there are no more vaccines to put on the market in Portugal“, explains Ema Paulino, from the National Pharmacy Association.
The information was confirmed to the National Pharmacy Association by the entire pharmaceutical industry that sells flu vaccines. This year, they will not be able to bring more doses of vaccines intended for the private contingent to Portugal.
“This year we have already dispensed more vaccines than we dispensed last year, in terms of the private contingent, approximately 250 thousand vaccines, while last year we had dispensed 220 thousand, but even so the demand continues and at the moment there are no vaccines available for this population”, adds Ema Paulino.
Last year there was 220 thousand flu vaccines for non-priority people. This year, 240 thousand have already been administered. Greater demand in a year when the strain circulating is also more aggressive.
