Under the slogan "Get vaccinated and protect the most important moments," the seasonal campaign features a new feature: free flu vaccination for all children between six and 23 months old, and reimbursed for those between two and five years old, Deputy Director-General of Health André Peralta Santos told Lusa news agency.

"This year we have a new development, which is also due to the fact that, in babies and children up to five years old, the flu causes illness that often results in hospitalization, fortunately with full recovery," he emphasized.

André Peralta Santos reminded everyone over 60, chronically ill people of all ages, and healthcare professionals that they should be vaccinated against the flu and COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of immunization against these viruses, which "continue to cause serious illness, especially in the elderly."

People between 60 and 84 years old can get vaccinated at health centers or pharmacies. As in the previous campaign, those over 85, who are at greater risk of developing severe flu, will have access to "a booster dose vaccine that provides extra protection."

André Peralta Santos assured that vaccines are available for all eligible individuals, emphasizing that the goal is to vaccinate approximately 2.5 million people against the flu and 1.5 million against COVID-19 before Christmas.

"This is important and somewhat related to this year's motto," he said, explaining that winter brings "very important moments" of festivities and, therefore, the importance of people getting vaccinated by, ideally, December 15th, although the campaign continues throughout the winter.

Regarding vaccine hesitancy, the Deputy Director-General of Health reinforced that the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are "very safe" and represent the "simplest and most effective means" of preventing serious illness caused by these viruses.

"Every year, we know that the flu, especially in December and January, peaks and is very common. And, therefore, we want the Portuguese to get vaccinated to protect themselves against serious illness," he reinforced.

When asked about the current circulation of the COVID-19 virus, André Peralta Santos explained that, despite the increase in the summer months, it has not caused constraints to health services, as it did in the early years of the pandemic.

"It continues to cause serious illness, fortunately, much less than it has previously." Hence, the goal of "vaccinating as many people as possible" to prevent severe forms of the disease.

But he emphasized: "The volume of Covid-19 patients is not something that causes us concern about creating constraints in emergency rooms or hospital admissions."

The 2025-2026 Fall-Winter Seasonal Vaccination Campaign will take place between September 23 and April 30, 2026, in National Health Service health units and community pharmacies.

In a note sent to the Lusa news agency, the president of the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF), Ema Paulino, announced that the campaign will be carried out in 2,500 pharmacies, targeting the population between 60 and 84 years old.

Ema Paulino warned of the growth of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, both nationally and internationally, urging trust in science.

"Vaccination is a safe, fast, and effective act of individual and collective protection," he emphasized, urging eligible people to schedule their appointment now, preparing for "the months of greatest virus circulation."