“The success of the PNV is unquestionable and I would like it not to be aimed mainly at children, but to have the same structure for adults,” he argued, highlighting that this would be a good way to mark the 60th anniversary of the PNV this year.

The pulmonologist and consultant to the General Directorate of Health (DGS), who was speaking during a meeting in Lisbon promoted by Apifarma-Portuguese Pharmaceutical Industry Association on lifelong vaccination, immediately received a response from the DGS, which is analysing this possibility.

Natália Pereira, head of the Vaccines, Immunization and Biological Products Unit team at the DGS, said that a “major reformulation” of the PNV is being carried out, specifically taking into account vaccination throughout life.

However, she stressed, “It is necessary to guarantee the sustainability of the measures, as well as availability,” said the official, adding: “I cannot introduce a vaccine this year and not have the funds for it next year.”

She said that the introduction of vaccines such as chickenpox into the lifelong vaccination program is being studied and that studies with mathematical modelling are being developed “to anticipate studies”.

Regarding lifelong vaccination, António Luz Pereira, from the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, drew attention to the need to reinforce human resources in primary health care, those closest to the population and who can, with the family health team, monitor the patient and focus on opportunistic vaccination (when the person goes to the appointment).

He also warned of the need for, in addition to human resources, primary care to have a guaranteed supply of vaccines in order to move forward with opportunistic vaccination, warning of some dispersion of stock in the last vaccination season.

“You can’t let the opportunity slip away,” he said.

Both António Luz Pereira and António Diniz raised the issue of migrants and the effort the system needs to make to cover them, thus protecting the entire community, with the pulmonologist arguing that immigrants who come to work in Portugal should be offered an assessment of their health status upon entry, understanding at that time the vaccination status of each person.