Say rules of winter vaccination campaign “disregard needs of older citizens”
The Association of Pharmacies of Portugal (AFP) has expressed its regret today that the country’s pharmacies have been excluded from vaccinating people over the age of 84 against flu in the seasonal campaign that kicks off at the end of this month.
“AFP argues that vaccination in pharmacies is fundamental to guaranteeing fair access to health, and believes the decision to limit vaccination in pharmacies to people between the ages of 60 and 84 disregards the needs of older citizens,” said the association in a statement.
Expressing “deep concern about the eligibility criteria” established for the seasonal campaign that begins on September 20, AFP considered that extending vaccination in pharmacies to all citizens aged 85 or over would facilitate access to the vaccine for an age group with reduced mobility and which, for this reason, has difficulty travelling to health centres – especially in more remote areas.
In view of this, AFP wants pharmacies to be authorised to administer vaccines from the SNS public health service to all citizens over the age of 84, “without charging any additional fee to the State”.
“This measure would give these patients the possibility of being vaccinated in pharmacies closest to their residence, facilitating access to vaccination and easing the burden on the SNS,” says AFP, which has equally regretted not having been included in the meetings to define this season’s vaccination rules.
It was yesterday that Portugal’s DGS (health general directorate) announced that the vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19 would begin on September 20 in SNS health units and pharmacies.
The DGS has published the rules for the campaign, along with the vaccines to be used, vaccination schedules and technical procedures.
In community pharmacies, vaccination is recommended for people aged between 60 and 84 and pharmacy health professionals.
This year, flu vaccination with a reinforced dose is being extended to people aged 85 and over, in addition to people living in nursing homes and those included in the national network for integrated long-term care.
The government expects to spend €7.6 million on Covid-19 and flu vaccinations in pharmacies.
Writer’s note: it is not clear from the DGS rules for this year’s campaign whether citizens over the age of 84 are expected to get their ‘reinforced vaccine against flu’ at health units, and the vaccine against Covid-19 at pharmacies (implying two journeys to two separate locations). If this is the case, then it amplifies AFP’s point that the ‘needs of older citizens’ (rather the needs of the country’s very oldest citizens) are not being understood.
Source material: LUSA
