"The limited data on co-administration of inactivated vaccines (produced from inactivated virus) against seasonal flu with that of Covid-19 did not show an increase in adverse events", indicate the recommendations of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) in immunisation programmes, which do not yet constitute WHO guidance on co-administration of vaccines.

According to the advisory group's opinion, taking into account that the priority age group to receive the seasonal flu vaccine is also considered at risk for more severe Covid-19 situations, the co-administration of the two vaccines "is acceptable" and will allow for the immunisation a greater number of people against both diseases.

Last week, the Director-General of Health announced that she plans to combine flu vaccination and the administration of the third dose against Covid-19 to simplify the two processes, a possibility that was awaiting WHO guidance.

"It would be great for people, because it is much more comfortable to go and vaccinate themselves once with two inoculations and it is also much easier for our nurses, for our logistics and for our services", explained Graça Freitas.

The goal is that people who are called for a booster vaccination against Covid-19, and who are also eligible to receive the flu vaccine, can be inoculated with both at the same time.

Elderly people over 80 and users of nursing homes and long-term care units who took the flu vaccine more than 14 days ago, have already started receiving the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.