A new era in flu vaccination in Portugal: Free vaccination for children aged 2-4, the campaign starts on September 30

The 2026/2027 autumn-winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Portugal will start on September 30. With the new rules published by Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS), a significant change is being made in the flu vaccine: Children between the ages of 2 and 4 are also included in the scope of free flu vaccination.

The campaign will run from September 30, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

Children aged 2-4 can now be vaccinated free of charge

The most striking change of the new campaign concerns children.

While last season the free flu vaccine covered children aged 6–23 months, DGS expanded the free application to children aged 2, 3 and 4 in the 2026/27 period.

Standard dose trivalent inactivated flu vaccine will be used in this age group.

Free vaccination can be carried out in SNS health units as well as authorized private and social sector hospitals and clinics.

Two-dose recommendation for young children receiving flu vaccine for the first time

DGS also points out an important detail in the vaccination schedule for children aged 6–23 months.

In children who have not received a flu vaccine before, that is, in the case of their first vaccination, it is recommended to administer two doses of flu vaccine.

DGS states that this practice aims to both strengthen the protection of children and reduce the spread of flu in society.

SNS prepared approximately 2.7 million doses

SNS has purchased approximately 2.3 million standard doses of influenza vaccine for the 2026/27 flu season.

This includes approximately 369 thousand high dose vaccines. More is being added.

According to DGS, there is an increase of approximately 187 thousand doses in standard doses and 12 thousand doses in high-dose vaccines compared to the last campaign.

High dose vaccine for those aged 85 and over

High-dose flu vaccine will continue to be used, especially in older age groups.

According to DGS's new strategy, people aged 85 and over are included in the scope of high-dose vaccine.

In addition, high-dose vaccination is foreseen for those aged 60 and over living in nursing homes and similar accommodation structures and eligible people within the scope of Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados.

Pharmacy opportunities are expanding for those aged 18–59 in the risk group

The role of pharmacies is also expanded in the new campaign.

People between the ages of 18 and 59 with specified risk diseases will be able to get their flu vaccines at pharmacies participating in the campaign, if they meet the eligibility conditions.

Pregnant women, certain healthcare workers, some professionals who work directly with people at high risk of severe disease, eligible firefighters, people in prison and homeless people are also among the groups covered by free vaccination.

The age limit for the COVID-19 vaccine is also changing

The campaign, which will start on September 30, does not only cover the flu vaccine.

DGS also updated its 2026/27 strategy for COVID-19.

In the new period, the threshold for general age-based COVID-19 vaccination recommendation is increased from 60 to 70 years.

However, the risk of severe disease Vaccination continues for people with certain health problems that cause serious illness and for eligible people living in particularly sensitive institutions and environments.

Access to the COVID-19 vaccine from pharmacies for people in the 18-69 age group with risk diseases is also being expanded. Those in the 70-84 age group will be able to be vaccinated in pharmacies, regardless of their health status, within the scope of the determined system.

Why was it extended to children?

The main goal of DGS's vaccination strategy is not only to prevent infection.

The aim is to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to flu, protect people in the risk group, limit the circulation of the virus in society, and reduce the pressure on healthcare services during the winter months.

Expanding the scope of children is also an important part of this strategy.

What should families do?

Since the campaign will start on September 30, people in eligible groups do not need to take any extraordinary action to get vaccinated.

However, it is especially important for families with young children to know whether the child has had the flu vaccine before. In case of first vaccination, the dosage schedule to be applied may be different.

Since the vaccination site and eligibility conditions may vary depending on the person's age and risk group, the current information of the SNS or DGS should be checked before application.

Resources

Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) — 17 September 2026

Campanha de Vacinação Sazonal outono-inverno 2026-2027 contra a Gripe e contra a COVID-19 arranca a 30 de setembro de 2026

https://www.dgs.pt/em-destaque/campanha-de-vacinacao-sazonal-outono-inverno-2026-2027-contra-a-gripe-e-contra-a-covid-19-arranca-a-30-de-setembro-de-2026.aspx

Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) — Norma n.º 006/2026, 17 September 2026

Campanha de vacinação sazonal contra a Gripe: outono-inverno 2026-2027

https://www.dgs.pt/normas-orientacoes-e-informacoes/normas-e-circulares-normativas.aspx

Diário de Notícias — 17 September 2026

Vacinação da gripe arranca a 30 de setembro e é alargada a crianças dos dois aos quatro anos

https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/vacinao-da-gripe-arranca-a-30-de-setembro-e-alargada-a-crianas-dos-dois-aos-quatro-anos

RTP — September 18, 2026

Vacinação da gripe arranca a 30 de setembro e é alargada a crianças dos dois aos quatro anos

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/vacinacao-da-gripe-arranca-a-30-de-setembro-e-e-alargada-a-criancas-dos-dois-aos-quatro-anos_n1766074