The data from the Directorate-General for Health (DGS) proves it: after a period of low circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, since mid-May there has been a high increase in the daily number of cases of infection in Portugal. And the associated loss of life.

During the month of June, more than 9,000 cases were recorded, of which 616 were on a single day. The daily average of COVID-19 deaths was nine, rising to ten in July. By the 25th of that month, cases had risen to 7,802 (per day). The causes are well known: music festivals, concerts, popular festivals and soccer matches, situations that are prone to large gatherings of people.

During this period, COVID-19 has led to an increase in the number of people of all ages coming to the emergency room. Now, as before, the vulnerable population has been penalized again: older people and those living with chronic illness. According to official figures, around 75 out of 100 people under the age of 60 who lost their lives this year had not been vaccinated last season, despite having been advised to do so, because they had chronic illnesses that made them more susceptible to serious disease.

There are simple acts that, when faced with a life-or-death situation, as these cases were, can make all the difference: annual vaccination against a potentially deadly disease is one of them.

Viruses change constantly. This is a characteristic of these microorganisms. For this reason, vaccines have to be adjusted to keep up with these changes, called mutations, as closely as possible, and the most vulnerable people have to be vaccinated every year.

Whenever someone with an indication to get vaccinated doesn't do so, they put themselves and others at risk by allowing the virus to continue to circulate, which can mutate into something more infectious or escape existing immunity. This situation has been repeated over and over again during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this summer's outbreak, a sad reminder of the consequences of hesitating or refusing to vaccinate, indicates that it has been forgotten.

September saw the start of another seasonal vaccination campaign against the flu and COVID-19. If you have an indication to get vaccinated, do so.

Reduce the risk of serious illness as much as possible while protecting those around you.

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