Portugal to spend extra €291 million to buy Covid vaccines
The government has authorised an additional expenditure of up to €291 million for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines next year.
The Portuguese government gave the “green light” to increase spending associated with the purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, given the worsening pandemic situation, as well as the need to administer booster doses and doses in paediatric ages. According to the Council of Ministers Resolution published this Thursday in the Official Gazette, additional spending of €291 million was authorised for the year 2022.
“Given the evolution of the pandemic, it is important to ensure that the Portuguese state can continue to acquire, during the year 2022, more vaccines against Covid-19, in order to allow to develop the vaccination plan in accordance with the epidemiological situation and public health recommendations, including the administration of booster doses to the population and doses defined for paediatric ages,” explains António Costa’s government, in the diploma now published.
That is why the government authorised, for the year 2022, additional expenditure for the purchase of vaccines against Covid-19, under the purchase agreements, up to a maximum amount of €291,433,477.
It is also clear that the financial burden resulting from this decision will be met “by funds to be entered in the budget of the Directorate-General of Health”, being the Ministry of Health’s responsibility – even with the power to sub-delegate – the “practice of all acts necessary to acquire vaccines”.
