More than 800 pharmacies across Portugal have already joined an initiative by the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) and Sword, using AI-powered technology to answer vaccination questions, address vaccine hesitancy and make appointments easier.
As Portugal prepares for the 2026–27 Autumn-Winter Seasonal Vaccination Campaign, community pharmacies are strengthening their outreach and information efforts, particularly among people for whom flu and COVID-19 vaccination is recommended and who stand to benefit most from protection.
The initiative aims to help increase vaccination coverage across Portugal, address vaccine hesitancy and make access to vaccination as simple and convenient as possible.
This year, as part of the partnership between the National Association of Pharmacies (ANF) and Sword, a new AI-powered solution has been developed to enable participating pharmacies to proactively and personally reach a larger number of people.
Powered by artificial intelligence, Sword’s technology supports pharmacies in providing personalised information about vaccination and making it easier for people to schedule their vaccination at participating pharmacies. The approach complements the work of pharmacy teams, strengthening their ability to promote health literacy, answer questions and facilitate access to vaccination.
During the first year of community pharmacies’ participation in Portugal’s Seasonal Vaccination Campaign, in 2023–24, around 70% of flu vaccines administered nationally were given in pharmacies. By strengthening proactive outreach and making appointments easier to schedule, the initiative aims to extend this reach even further.
According to Sword projections, the use of the solution could lead to an approximately 10% increase in the number of people vaccinated in Portuguese pharmacies, equivalent to up to 100,000 additional people protected.
Despite Portugal’s relatively high flu vaccination rates, the latest data points to declining uptake, particularly for COVID-19 vaccination, including among vulnerable populations. This trend comes amid growing vaccine hesitancy worldwide, with misinformation continuing to fuel uncertainty and influence vaccination decisions.
Vaccination is one of the most effective public health interventions, and we know that making vaccines available is not enough. We need to reach people, answer their questions and make access as simple as possible. Pharmacies have a unique relationship of proximity and trust with the population and can play a particularly important role for people who have not yet decided to get vaccinated or who keep postponing that decision. We want to build on that proximity, now strengthened by technology, to reach more people earlier, especially those who stand to benefit most from vaccination before the period of peak virus circulation.” – Ema Paulino, President of ANF
Personalised information and easy access to appointments are key drivers of vaccination uptake. They are also areas where technology can make a meaningful difference. We know that successful vaccination during this critical period can help significantly reduce pressure on NHS emergency departments in the months ahead. Through Sword’s technology and this partnership, we are taking a decisive step towards making this year — and the years ahead — different.” – Fernando Correia, MD, SVP Clinical Affairs at Sword
Throughout the process, the pharmacy remains the point of reference for each individual. The technology facilitates outreach, access to information and appointment scheduling, complementing existing in-person channels. Professional advice and individual clinical assessment remain the responsibility of healthcare professionals.
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Sword Communications Team
