Outm, until June 2010, approximately 700 thousand vaccines were administered, corresponding to approximately 20% of the 3 million people who should have been vaccinated (for some people, namely children, two doses were administered).
A positive fact: the campaign ran in a short period of time, without any impact on the National Vaccination Program (PNV) or on the administration of other vaccines.
What percentage of the population was protected?
The document says that “it is possible to admit that 20% of the population will be protected, either by the disease, or due to unapparent infections, or even by vaccination”.
Despite weak adherence to DGS, did it continue to defend the process?
Yes. DGS says in the report that, despite the reduction in flu activity, “it should be noted that the new H1N1 virus that caused the pandemic will continue to circulate”.
“That is why, there is a full justification for the need to continue the vaccination that is under development. The vaccine is the most effective way to minimize serious complications from influenza A. As such, it is our goal to continue to vaccinate as many eligible people as possible “, could be read in the vaccination process balance report.
DGS continued to recommend vaccinating health professionals, “for their own protection, for the protection of the patients they treat and, also, to reduce absenteeism when a new epidemic caused by the A (H1N1) 2009 virus” occurs.
What was the reaction of the Portuguese to this process?
The social response remained on low intensity alert even after the occurrence of the first death, which occurred in the last week of September of that year. At the same time, flu activity in schools has increased, reaching, in certain areas of the country, a visible expression. It was during this period that the pandemic vaccine was licensed in Europe and that the date for the start of the vaccination campaign was set in Portugal.
Was there an anti-vaccination movement?
Yes. At the social level hhears strong controversy over new vaccine, namely with regard to vaccination of pregnant women, with successive attempts to associate vaccination with the death of fetuses whose mothers had been vaccinated. Usignificant number of doctors and nurses did not join the campaign, which may have had consequences on the vaccination rates against influenza A (H1N1) and caused a greater number of rumors about this matter.
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