The Government states that children need to have their diphtheria and tetanus vaccines up to date to enroll or take exams at a school. This requirement is provided for in a law in force since 1962, which the executive highlighted again in April.
According to the law, educational institutions must require the presentation of the vaccination certificate or the declaration of previous administration of the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines at the time of enrollment and when taking exams.
However, the Directorate-General for Health disagrees with this interpretation. The DGS states that diphtheria and tetanus vaccines do not prevent school enrollment, contradicting the Government's position.
This situation creates an apparent contradiction between what the Ministry of Education determines and what the Portuguese public health authority considers applicable, raising questions about the actual mandatory nature of vaccines for enrollment purposes.
