That who is already a sinner
suffer torments, anyway!
But the children, sir,
Why do you give them so much pain ?! …
Why do you suffer like this?! …
(em Snow ballad) Augusto Gil, lawyer and poet (1873-1929)
The pain certainly does not beat like that, so light, lightly. But in Portugal from the time 2025-2026, it can stop beating the children because of the flu. Or at least, beating much less.
This year, the Directorate-General for Health has expanded the universal vaccination recommendation for all children up to 5 years, ensuring their free of charge up to 2 years. This is a measure that should be filled with pride and which has made a goal that has long desired by doctors, other health professionals and many parents. It is a significant step that is aligned with the World Health Organization recommendations and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC – European Center for Disease Prevention and Control), and follows the best practices already adopted in other European countries.
In a study coordinated by the ECDC, which analyzed the impact of infectious diseases in the European Union countries between 2009 and 2013, flu was identified as the disease associated with the highest load of disease. A reality that is not indifferent to medical and scientific advances in recent decades that have drastically reduced the consequences of other diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, smallpox and measles.
In the field of influenza, children perfectly represent the binomial of victims of the disease and vectors transmission in the community. The seasonal activity of flu in the community begins in children, the first victims of the disease, who are then vectors of transmission and circulation of influenza virus in the community. The transmission extends to adults, occurring mainly in the family context, with greater impact on grandparents.
If doubts persisted about the direct impact of flu on children, just remember that, at the last time of 2024-2025 in the United States of America, 280 children died, with an average age of 7 years and that at least about 90% were not vaccinated. In Portugal, the largest study published analyzed the period from 2008 to 2018 and evaluated the hospital hospitalizations of children up to 5 years. The conclusions showed a high underground, showed that 90% of hospitalized children were healthy, with 75% of hospitalizations in the first 24 months of life, and estimated a total of 95 excessive deaths associated with flu. These data reinforce the relevance of the universal vaccination of children.
Vaccines are only effective when administered. If you are a parent, include vaccination against flu in your children’s annual routine. They benefit, the family protects themselves and the community thanks. The time has come to make the flu to beat lighter, slightly!
Doctorate in Public Health
Member of the National Council of Public Health