In a clarification sent today to the Lusa agency, the DGS considers, after hearing the technical commission on the vaccination against Covid-19, that “any teenager aged 12 to 15 years should be given the possibility of access to the vaccination through medical instruction only”.
On Saturday, the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, stated that health authorities did not prohibit vaccination against Covid-19 for healthy children, considering that "this space remains open to the free choice of parents." At least for now, the will of parents is not enough for the population aged between 12 and 15 years without a disease to be automatically immunised, although this can be achieved if the doctor gives a prescription.
The DGS states, however, that in the case of adolescents of this age (12 to 15 years) who have underlying medical conditions, vaccination against Covid-19 is a priority. Noting that "it will issue recommendations on universal vaccination of adolescents aged 12 to 15 years as soon as additional data on vaccination of these age groups is available". "In the case of minors, vaccination is discussed with the parents or legal guardians", adds the DGS in a clarification that cites the opinion issued on Friday.
The DGS clarification came after statements made by Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Saturday at the Portuguese consulate in São Paulo, Brazil. "Vaccinated children benefit from a prevention that is positive for them, this was neither prohibited nor prohibited by the DGS and it is open to parents in terms of choice for their children", stressed the President of the Republic, adding that there are vaccinated children " that can certify that vaccinations” can “make a difference”, namely for school attendance.
The Universal vaccination continues, for the time being, and is recommended only for above the age of 16, following the ongoing vaccination plan. However, the DGS has not ruled out future changes if there are “new variants of concern”.