“Vaccines work”, “vaccines can protect us and others”, “why would I fear the vaccines?!” – testimonies from Portugal, where thousands of people get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 every day

Maria Jose Pacheco is one of hundreds of older people coming to get their jabs at the Lisbon vaccination centre.

“Vaccines work”, “vaccines can protect us and others”, and “why would I fear the vaccines?!” are invariably the answers we got when we asked people why they were getting vaccinated.

Lucilia Santos at the vaccination centre.

Seventy-five-year-old Lucilia Santos, a former dental assistant, says she is getting the COVID-19 booster and, for the first time in her life, the influenza vaccine.

She is getting older, she explains, and she realizes the influenza vaccine is important to keep her protected as this winter may be harsher than previous winters.

Lucilia Santos getting vaccinated.

Lucilia Santos getting vaccinated. “My family and friends also think it’s important to get the vaccines for COVID-19 and influenza,” says Lucilia, adding that she uses other protective measures, too, such as wearing a mask and frequent handwashing.

Antonio Pina and Maria do Carmo Figueiredo at the vaccination centre.

Not far away, sitting in front of a sign that says, “Together, we take care of everyone”, Antonio Pina, 85, and his wife, Maria do Carmo Figueiredo, 88, are waiting to get their third COVID-19 booster.

Antonio Pina getting his third COVID-19 booster.

“We believe in vaccines. Without the vaccines, more people would have died of COVID-19. ... We know a lot of people who had COVID-19 and had friends who died because of COVID-19. ... Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 can save people’s lives,” says Antonio as he rolls up his sleeve, ready for the booster.

Maria Jose Pacheco getting an influenza vaccine.

“Vaccines work,” echoes Maria Jose Pacheco, 86, confidently. She is at the centre for her third COVID-19 booster and the influenza vaccine.

Antonio Pina and Maria do Carmo Figueiredo leaving the vaccination centre.

There are smiles behind the masks and a sense of relief as Antonio and Maria, now both vaccinated, pose for a last photo before leaving the centre.

David Santos, 81, and his wife Elvira Santos, 75, are also ready to get vaccinated.

This is their second COVID-19 booster dose and they have been eager to get vaccinated against influenza, too, ever since their doctor encouraged them to do so. This is the fourth year they have received the influenza vaccine.

Elvira Santos believes in the power of vaccines.

“We have been very well every year since getting the influenza vaccine. Vaccines can protect us from falling seriously ill if we catch the virus,” says Elvira.

Vasco Sousa is a 23-year-old nurse working at the COVID-19/Influenza vaccination centre.

“At the moment, I am seeing around 100 people or more every day. And almost all of them are getting the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines,” says Vasco, who is vaccinated against COVID-19 and plans to also take the influenza vaccine in the coming months.

“Every day, as health-care workers, we are in contact with people who might have COVID-19 or influenza. We need to be in good health to work. We need to be prepared for everything. We don’t want to get sick and not be able to work,” adds Vasco.

Pedro Martins Rego, a 48-year-old nurse, coordinates the preparation and administration of the vaccines.

So what do vaccines mean to him? How would he describe them in three words? “Hope. Safety. Well-being,” says Pedro.

Margarida Lopes has been in nursing for over 20 years and is helping with the vaccine roll out.

Margarida Lopes has been in nursing for over 20 years and is helping with the vaccine roll out. Following the advice she gives to people at risk of COVID-19 and influenza, she herself is vaccinated against COVID-19 and plans to get her influenza vaccine in November.

WHO/Europe hopes to see more vulnerable people take up their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, given concerns that far too many people remain unvaccinated in many countries.

Although we are not where we were a year ago, COVID-19 continues to pose a significant risk, with many countries seeing cases rising, along with the anticipated arrival of influenza this autumn and winter.

There is an urgent need to protect the health of vulnerable people, using all available tools, including vaccination.

It’s also important that people keep up with personal protective measures - cleaning hands regularly, ventilating indoor spaces, and wearing well-fitted masks, particularly when in crowded, close settings.