“Anyone in Portugal has the right to have a vaccine, regardless of nationality or whether or not they are here legally,” said Graça Freitas.

“Since 1965, when the National Vaccination Programme was created, it was decided that the programme was for everyone in Portugal"

The Director-General for Health also highlighted the important role of mobile vaccination vans in several counties in the country to allow for greater proximity to the population and to help improve vaccination rates in areas of the country with traditionally lower take up rates.

"Vans, or vaccinations outside of health units, are complementary to vaccination strategies to reach certain populations that for whatever reason are less likely to frequent health services," she said.