Lisbon, March 12, 2023 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Pharmacy Association (AFP) advocated on Thursday extending the high-dose flu vaccine to people aged 65 and over, saying that this would protect the most vulnerable population and reduce hospital admissions.
"Extending this vaccine to people aged 65 and over would strengthen protection for the most vulnerable population, contribute to reducing flu-related hospitalisations and increase the overall effectiveness of vaccination strategies," the AFP said in a statement.
As in the 2024/2025 season, the high-dose flu vaccine is available free of charge at health centres for all people aged 85 and over, and is also intended for users of residential facilities for the elderly and the National Network for Integrated Continuing Care.
According to the association, recent studies and statements by health experts indicate that the high-dose vaccine offers benefits for older adults, leading to a stronger immune response and reducing complications associated with seasonal flu.
In the statement, the AFP also pointed out that community pharmacies have been playing an important role in strengthening vaccination coverage in Portugal, noting that they ensure proximity, convenience, and easy access to vaccination for thousands of people.
"Vaccination is already a cross-cutting activity for pharmacies, which have qualified professionals and the conditions to contribute even more significantly to protecting the population," it said.
Although pharmacies are authorised to administer flu vaccines, the AFP regretted that the high-dose vaccine is not available for administration to the population aged 65-84 years, which limits the "potential impact of this preventive measure in strengthening protection" for this age group.
"Given the difficulties in accessing primary health care and vaccination in family health units," the AFP argued that pharmacies represent "a privileged location" for administering the high-dose vaccine to users aged 84 and over, saying that this would ensure greater proximity and coverage for the most vulnerable population.
According to the latest report from the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), between 23 September and 8 March, 2,561,656 people were vaccinated against influenza, of which more than 1.1 million were in pharmacies.
In the 85+ age group, DGS data indicate that vaccination coverage has reached 87.88%, with 300,259 people vaccinated in the current campaign.
At the end of September, several patient associations highlighted the importance of flu vaccination for at-risk groups and argued that high-dose vaccines should be prioritised for all people aged 65 and over.
PC/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
