So far, more than 320,000 doses of the flu vaccine have been distributed throughout the national territory.

The vaccination process began with users and professionals of Residential Establishments for the Elderly (ERPI) and units of the National Network of Continuing Integrated Care (RNCCI) and similar institutions and with professionals from the National Health Service (SNS).

"The vaccination of these groups, as well as of pregnant women, should take place over the next few weeks", indicates the DGS.

Vaccination against influenza will gradually be extended to other groups, including people aged 65 and over and people with diseases eligible for vaccination under the NHS, from the second stage onwards.

Vaccination against the flu for these people will occur in parallel with the process of vaccination against Covid-19, which is still ongoing at the Vaccination Centres, said the DGS.

The coordination of the vaccination process against seasonal flu will be led by army colonel Carlos Penha Gonçalves, assisted by a team with more than eight elements, representing the three branches of the Armed Forces.