If we observe the number of contamination in COVVI-19 compared to the number of inhabitants, Portugal is currently the country most affected in the world by the pandemic.The Portuguese pay the price of a certain relaxation at the time of the Christmas holidays with around 15.000 new cases and an average of 260 additional dead per day over the last two weeks of January.But the country has nonetheless started its vaccination campaign.To date, more than 415.000 doses of vaccine have been administered according to the Ministry of Health.

A three -step vaccination plan

The Portuguese government presented its covid-19 pandemic vaccination plan on December 3, 2020, which will take place in three separate phases.A first phase aimed at vaccinating 950.000 priority people.Among them, we find in particular retirees in retirement homes as well as nursing staff, health professionals as well as the armed forces and the security forces (such as firefighters and security agents).

During the disclosure of the vaccination plan, the government estimated that this first vaccination phase would end at the end of March, and then give way to the second phase.This aims to vaccinate 1.8 million people over 65, as well as 900.000 people over 50 with associated pathologies, for a total of 2.7 million individuals.

It is only during the third phase that the whole population will have access to the vaccine.The government announced, however, still when presenting the vaccination plan, that the application of this third phase can only be done according to the rate of supply of the vaccine.It is also specified on the government's website, that the start date of the third phase still remains to be determined.

The vaccination plan is late

During the announcement of the vaccination plan on December 3, 2020, the Portuguese government hoped to finish the first phase of vaccination at the end of March.Today, it is estimated that Portugal will not go to the second phase of its plan until April.This delay is explained for two major reasons:

First, the decision to include individuals over the age of 80, as well as people over 50 with serious pathologies.The increase in the workforce to be vaccinated, as well as the constraints linked to the issuance of doses by pharmaceutical laboratories which happens almost everywhere in Europe since they are grouped purchases made by Brussels, have repulsed the deadlinesof this first phase.

In addition, the vaccination process is long.The government exposes having received fewer vaccines than which had been agreed with manufacturers.

Portugal is still lagging behind compared to its European neighbors in this vaccination campaign for the moment.There are 415.283 doses of vaccines administered in Portugal (298.First 724 doses and 116.559 second doses), to date.

The problems caused by the vaccination plan

The slowness of vaccination processes, but also the passenger passes in the context of the vaccination campaign lead to the anger of the Portuguese.Indeed, several mayors and other regional officials were able to be vaccinated, when they were not considered as priority.Francisco Ramos, the director of the vaccination unit and managing director of the Red Cross Hospital, resigned on Wednesday February 3, 2021, after recognizing irregularities during the selection of priority people in this hospital center.It is replaced by the vice-admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, giving the army the keys to continue to carry out the vaccination plan.

The Director General of Health Graça Freitas tried to reassure the population on Thursday, February 4, by declaring that "everyone would be vaccinated"."People have to trust the system.The system will invite everyone to be vaccinated, "she added.Prime Minister António Costa visited hospital centers, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Marta Temido, in order to also reassure the population.The Prime Minister declared after a visit to the private hospital CUF TAGE on Friday, February 5, that everyone will be called upon to be vaccinated against the COVID-19, whether by "message, letter, or telephone call".

Despite these events, an investigation carried out by Deco protest shows that more of the three-quarters of the Portuguese interviewed are ready to be vaccinated, including 50% who wish to do it now.We also note that 55% of interviewed agree that the government is effectively organizing the distribution of the vaccine.

European aid to relieve Portugal

Faced with the difficulty of hospitals to meet demand, faced with the large number of new cases of COVID-19 every day, European countries have offered medical support in Portuguese.The Germany in agreement with the Portuguese government has sent a team of military doctors and infirmiers to relieve Portuguese medical teams.Other European countries such as the author and Luxembourg have also offered their help.Since the beginning of February, the number of new cases has shown a tendency to decrease with an average of 5.520 new cases per day over the last 7 days.It is planned that the situation becomes more controlled from March, even if these are only forecasts and that we are already talking about a deconfination by step which should be extended untilApril or even more.The external aid provided can be extended if necessary, at a time when the private health sector strongly present in the country has also been led to collaborate in order to mobilize all possible means at the service of patients affected by the COVVI-19.

Find out more: COVVI19.min-saude.pt