PS/Azores criticizes exclusion of community pharmacies

The PS/Azores criticized this Wednesday the fact that the flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign in the region excludes community pharmacies, but the Regional Government claims that the Regional Health Service is able to respond.

In a press release, the leader of the PS parliamentary group in the Azores, Andreia Cardoso, regretted that the Azorean government had decided to exclude community pharmacies from the seasonal vaccination campaign against flu and Covid-19, unlike what happens in mainland Portugal.

"It makes no sense that Azoreans have fewer rights and less accessibility than citizens on the mainland. The Regional Government must correct this decision and ensure that community pharmacies participate in the campaign , for the benefit of the population," stated Andreia Cardoso.

For Andreia Cardoso, this decision by the Regional Government "harms the people of the Azores by limiting the locations where vaccinations can be administered, when pharmacies in the region have already expressed their full willingness to collaborate and have professionals trained to administer vaccines safely."

“The PS/Azores considers it incomprehensible that, in a region marked by geographical dispersion and mobility difficulties, the coalition executive [PSD/CDS-PP/PPM] continues to waste existing resources, refusing to integrate pharmacies into a joint public health effort,” the statement reads.

When questioned by Lusa, the regional director of Health for the Azores, Pedro Paes, justified the decision by saying that the Regional Health Service provides “a comprehensive response to vaccination needs” in the region.

"The Regional Health Service has been and continues to respond to seasonal vaccination campaigns for flu and COVID-19, so we have maintained the strategy of previous years," he noted.

Pedro Paes also highlighted that “a survey was carried out” and that there was “a logistical process with associated costs that would be charged to the Regional Health Service for the inclusion of pharmacies”.

"If there were a need, it would be one of the paths to follow. We didn't see that need," he reiterated.

The Regional Health Director also considered that it made no sense to compare with what happens on the mainland, because "the Autonomous Region of the Azores is completely different from the national territory, both due to its insularity and geographical dispersion."

The Regional Section of the Autonomous Region of the Azores of the Order of Nurses (SRRAAOE) welcomed, in a press release, the region's decision to “ensure that the entire process is carried out exclusively by nurses”.

"In the Azores, vaccination is an act of nursing care. It involves clinical evaluation, rigorous technique, and close monitoring. This is how we best protect each person and our community," stated Pedro Soares, president of the Order's regional chapter.

The flu and Covid-19 vaccination campaign takes place in the Azores from September 23 to April 30.

"We continue to hope that as many Azoreans as possible will get vaccinated. We are trying to reach everyone and maintain the premise that vaccination is one of the main strategies for combating serious illness and infection by the influenza virus or COVID-19," emphasized the Regional Health Director.

The flu vaccination is free for people aged 60 or over, pregnant women, children aged 6 to 24 months, people with chronic illnesses or medical conditions, and healthcare professionals.

The Covid-19 vaccine is administered free of charge to people aged 60 or over, pregnant women, adults with high-risk pathologies, children and young people with severe immunosuppression or subject to individual clinical assessment, homeless people and support professionals, as well as health professionals and professionals supporting the elderly.

Pedro Paes admitted that the age groups covered by free vaccination could be expanded.

"We've already acquired enough vaccines to allow us to evaluate and, if necessary, cover more age groups. We can provide booster shots for both the flu and COVID-19 at any time," he added.

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