“I am delighted that science has confirmed that it is possible to fulfil our duty to ensure universal protection for all children over 12 years old”, wrote António Costa in a message posted on his official Twitter account.

The prime minister reacted to the announcement, made today by the General Directorate of Health (DGS), which recommends the universal vaccination of children and young people between 12 and 15 years of age, thus no longer limited to specific situations, such as cases in who have risky diseases.

"Everything is in place to guarantee the administration of two doses of vaccines before the beginning of the school year", António Costa wrote today.

“The vaccines were bought, the logistics were ready and the dates are defined: young people between 12 and 17 years old can have a complete vaccination until September 19”, he pointed out.

The general director of Health, Graça Freitas, announced today at a press conference in Lisbon that "the DGS recommends the vaccination of all adolescents from 12 to 15 years of age", without the need for medical advice.

Graça Freitas explained that the decision comes after analysing "new data made available in recent days", specifically the impacts recorded on "more than 15 million adolescents vaccinated in the United States and the European Union" that revealed to be "extremely rare" cases of myocarditis and pericarditis.

Taking into account the new data, the DGS has decided to extend the vaccine against Covid-19 to all young people in this age group, which should start being administered soon.