Portugal Nears WHO flu Vaccination Target, Sees High Uptake in Elderly Population
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Portugal is making significant strides in its annual flu vaccination campaign, with over 87% of residents aged 85 and older already vaccinated, bringing the nation close to the WHO’s 75% target for those aged 65 and over. The latest data, released from the third wave of the “Vacinometer” initiative, reveals a robust public health response despite ongoing challenges related to vaccine fatigue and misinformation.
Strongest Protection for Most Vulnerable
The Vacinometer, a real-time monitoring project established in 2009 by the portuguese Society of Pneumology (SPP) and the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF), indicates that 87.1% of individuals aged 85 or older have received a flu shot. Notably, nearly half (47.8%) of these vaccinations were administered following a doctor’s proposal.
A senior official with the SPP described the results as “vrey encouraging,” emphasizing the effectiveness of the high-dose vaccine currently recommended for this age group. this specialized vaccine delivers approximately four times the antigen load of standard flu shots, resulting in “much greater effectiveness in preventing complications.” The vaccine is designed to provide a stronger immune response, particularly for individuals with weakened immune systems, and demonstrably reduces hospitalizations due to influenza.
Despite acknowledging that the flu virus strain included in this year’s vaccine differs from the currently circulating variant, experts remain confident in the vaccine’s protective benefits. “All people who have been vaccinated with the vaccine adopted globally…they have a much improved response compared to unvaccinated people,” one specialist assured.
National Coverage Expanding
Overall flu vaccination rates are climbing across Portugal. Current estimates place coverage among those aged 65 and over at 72.6%, nearing the WHO’s 75% benchmark. according to a spokesperson, Portugal is “clearly far above even the common numbers in the rest of Europe.”
the country is navigating challenges related to public hesitancy, with concerns about “vaccination fatigue” and the spread of “counter-information and disinformation” acknowledged by health officials. However, vaccination rates have demonstrably increased since last year, with 60% of the surveyed population currently vaccinated compared to 47.4% at the same time in the previous year. This positive trend extends to healthcare professionals, with vaccination rates rising from 49.7% to 62.9%.
Key Vaccination Statistics
Here’s a breakdown of vaccination rates across key demographic groups:
- Chronically Ill: 71%
- Respiratory Disease: 75.6%
- Diabetes: 75%
- Cardiovascular Disease: 73.7%
- Healthcare Professionals: 62.9%
- Pregnant Women: 57.5% (82.8% on doctor’s recommendation)
- Children (6-24 months): 38.6%
Addressing Gaps in Vaccination
While adult vaccination rates are promising, coverage among children aged six to 24 months remains substantially lower at 38.6%. Experts emphasize that children are a vulnerable population and require parental consent for vaccination.
Looking ahead, 22.9% of unvaccinated individuals over 85, 22.1% of healthcare professionals, and 13.9% of chronically ill patients who remain unvaccinated express intentions to receive the flu shot. The co-administration of flu and COVID-19 vaccines is also gaining traction, increasing from 57% to 64% among recommended groups.
Portugal’s ongoing commitment to flu vaccination, coupled with targeted outreach and a robust public health infrastructure, positions the nation as a leader in influenza prevention.The continued success of the Vacinometer initiative will be crucial in monitoring progress and adapting strategies to protect the population against this seasonal threat.
