Vaccination against coronavirus and influenza in pharmacies will cost the NHS about 11.5 million euros, the Portuguese nurses’ union estimated on Friday, deeming the transfer of funds from the National Health Service to the private sector “unacceptable”.
“The recent decision taken by the government to hand over the vaccination of people over 60 years of age to pharmacies is unacceptable,” the Portuguese Nurses Union criticized in a statement, noting that during the pandemic, the SNS, through health centers, was able to ensure that the population was vaccinated against Coronavirus and influenza in multiple doses.
Citing the president of the National Pharmaceutical Association (ANF), Emma Paulino, the SEP states that pharmacies will receive between 1.7 and 2.3 million influenza vaccines and the same amount of vaccines against Covid-19.
“If we take into account that the SNS will pay 2.5 euros for each vaccine administered, the cost is estimated to reach 11.5 million euros,” highlights the draft Socialist Action Plan, noting that it is an amount given to the private sector “without any justification.” “It is necessary to invest in SNS.
“Taking into account previous experience and considering that vaccination is much more than just a task, it is an intervention that requires precision and competence from those responsible for it and scientific knowledge so that they can act in the event of any complications, we consider that the government’s option is not the safest option for users,” the union warned. .
“We just need to confirm whether pharmacies will receive vaccines before health centers,” concludes Seib.
The coronavirus and influenza vaccination campaign will start on September 29 and covers people over 60 years of age, nursing home residents, healthcare providers, nursing home workers and patients with chronic diseases, and pharmacies will for the first time provide the vaccine. The vaccine against Covid-19, which will be given simultaneously with the influenza vaccine, is for people over 60 years of age who do not suffer from chronic diseases.
News updated at 3:13 p.m.: Corrects information published by the Portuguese Nurses Association that vaccination against Covid-19 and influenza will cost 35 million euros. The value estimated by the union is ultimately 11.5 million.
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