In a note issued on 2 October, the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) announces that the vaccines that will be available this year in Portugal are, for the first time, tetravalent, working for four types of influenza viruses (two type A and two type B).

According to the DGS, these vaccines are expected to be “more comprehensive than previously used trivalent vaccines”.

"In the NHS, the vaccine is free for citizens aged 65 and over, for people resident or in institutions, for people with certain illnesses, for NHS health professionals and for fire-fighters," the note on the DGS website reads.

The health authority recommends vaccination to health professionals and other caregivers, including fire-fighters, noting that they are "more likely to be exposed and transmitted to people at higher risk for complications."

In addition to the doses available at the NHS, the vaccines will also be available at community pharmacies on prescription, which will be valid until 31 December.

In cases where it is free and strongly recommended, such as the elderly, nursing home residents and some chronically ill patients, the vaccine does not require a prescription and also does not require a moderator fee.

The DGS also recommends the vaccine to people between 60 and 64 years, as well as pregnant women.

Influenza is a contagious disease that usually cures spontaneously. Complications, when they arise, occur mainly in people with chronic diseases or those over 65 years old.

The DGS considers vaccination to be the best way to prevent serious complications and recommends that vaccines should preferably be administered by the end of the year.