Portuguese adults face vaccine knowledge gaps as hospital study records 18% RSV mortality

Widespread support paired with low awareness

A nationwide survey of 1,500 Portuguese adults conducted between 28 May and 4 August 2026 revealed that while 94.4% of respondents recognize the benefits of vaccination, widespread informational deficits persist across the adult population. According to the study promoted by the Movement of Patients for Vaccination (MOVA), 63.9% of participants do not know which vaccines are included in the National Vaccination Programme (PNV). Furthermore, 90.5% are unaware of adult vaccines that exist outside the public programme, and 62.1% cannot identify any specific vaccines they would like added in the future.

Communication gaps in clinical consultations

General practitioners remain the primary catalyst for adult immunization, with over 75% of respondents indicating they would get vaccinated if their family doctor recommended it. However, participants reported that vaccination is rarely addressed during routine medical appointments, particularly for individuals without chronic illnesses. Among people who skip annual influenza or Covid-19 shots, 38.8% stated they do not feel at risk, while 50.0% do not consider seasonal immunization a personal priority. Furthermore, 74.9% of respondents had never heard of the terms vaccine hesitation or vaccine fatigue. José Albino, president of Respira and representative of MOVA, pointed out that lack of awareness prevents informed choices.

Vaccination is an act of individual and collective protection and people know that, as the data shows. But it is not possible to ask them to protect themselves, and protect those around them, through vaccination, when they lack basic knowledge about what vaccines are available.

Severe RSV hospital outcomes in older adults

Hospital data from Santa Maria da Feira illustrates the clinical risks of unaddressed adult respiratory infections. An investigation led by internal medicine specialist Gonçalo Sarmento analysed 15,000 patients admitted for acute respiratory infections at the Unidade Local de Saúde do Entre Douro e Vouga (ULS EDV) between 2018 and 2024. The study identified Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in 345 hospitalized adults. Among those diagnosed with RSV, more than 90% were over 60 years old and nearly 80% belonged to high-risk groups with chronic illnesses. More than half of the 345 patients developed acute respiratory failure, and 18.3% died during their hospital stay. Sarmento presents these findings on Thursday in Coimbra.

Calls for state subsidy and clinical action

While infant RSV immunization is fully integrated into the PNV free of charge, the adult vaccine requires out-of-pocket payment of approximately 200 euros despite demonstrated efficacy lasting at least three years. Sarmento argued that the National Health Service (SNS) should co-fund the vaccine for older adults to prevent acute respiratory failure, irreversible lung sequelae, and cardiovascular events triggered by infection.

Not every senior has money for that. But if the SNS starts co-funding the vaccine, it will be a decisive step to guarantee greater longevity for our senior population, who, when infected by this virus, are subject to acute respiratory failure, lung injuries that can leave sequelae, and inflammation that increases the likelihood of chronic disease decompensating or even leading to heart attacks or strokes.

Public health authorities also acknowledged the urgency of targeting vulnerable demographics, with Cristina Bárbara of the Directorate-General of Health (DGS) emphasizing the responsibility to protect high-risk groups.

We have to protect the most vulnerable populations.