Lisbon, Sept. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The Directorate-General for Health (DGS) acknowledged on Thursday supply constraints on flu vaccines intended for the private market, emphasising that this process occurs between pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry.
«The DGS has become aware of supply constraints regarding standard-dose vaccines intended for the private market, a process which the DGS does not coordinate and in which it remains uninvolved, either at the procurement stage or with regard to distribution,» the Directorate-General told the Lusa news agency.
According to the DGS, this is a matter between private operators and the pharmaceutical industry, which may vary depending on demand forecasts, supply available from manufacturers and other market factors.
When contacted by Lusa, the National Association of Pharmacies said preliminary information at its disposal suggests that vaccine allocation for the private market in Portugal may be lower than in previous years, without giving specific figures.
«This situation, which is affecting several European countries, stems from the need to simultaneously update the three strains that make up the flu vaccine for the upcoming campaign,» the association explained.
To address the difficulties reported by the private sector in procuring vaccines, the DGS has chosen to include in the regulations for the forthcoming flu campaign, which begins on 30 September, the vaccination of healthcare professionals who provide direct care in the social and private sectors in inpatient units, outpatient surgery units, obstetrics and neonatology units, and dialysis units, as well as in establishments providing round-the-clock care.
It emphasised that this change protects these professionals, arguing that it is «important for the safe provision of healthcare», thereby enabling the private sector to overcome procurement constraints and ensuring their vaccination.
Regarding the autumn and winter campaign, which will run until 31 March, and which includes the various groups eligible for free vaccination, the National Health Service (SNS) has procured around 2.3 million doses of standard-strength flu vaccines and a further 369,000 high-strength doses.
Compared with the previous campaign, this volume represents an increase of 187,000 standard-dose vaccines and 12,000 high-dose vaccines, which says «flu vaccines for everyone who wishes to be vaccinated» in accordance with the guidance now published, the DGS assured.
The DGS also acknowledged that, as part of these procurements, one lot in the procurement process received no bids, but said this situation «had no impact on the vaccination strategy» defined for the campaign, which begins at the end of this month.
The Directorate-General for Health, which has decided to extend vaccination in the forthcoming campaign to children aged between two and four, maintains its objective of achieving a vaccination coverage rate similar to that recorded in the previous campaign.
Difficulties in procuring vaccines for the private sector had already arisen by the end of 2025, leading the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) to acknowledge difficulties in providing flu vaccinations to people outside the eligible groups.
«There are constraints on the procurement of vaccines from distributors for people who wish to be vaccinated, with a medical prescription, outside the groups entitled to free vaccination,» the ANF acknowledged at the time.
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