What is a DGS clinical guidance norm (NOC)?
A clinical guidance norm, known in Portuguese as a norma de orientação clínica or NOC, is a technical and scientific document issued by Portugal's Direção-Geral da Saúde that systematises the approach to a clinical situation in order to support decisions by health professionals. The norms are the instrument for assuring quality in care across evidence-based decision making, effectiveness, safety and efficiency.
How do I consult the DGS clinical norms?
The norms are published on the Direção-Geral da Saúde site, in the norms and normative circulars section, where each norm has its own page with the full text as a PDF. Every entry in this directory links directly to the official page for that norm.
What is the DGS norm for hypertension?
Norma n.º 001/2026, of 04/03/2026, sets out the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to hypertension in adults. It covers blood pressure measurement, classification, cardiovascular risk stratification, screening for target organ damage and treatment, and excludes pregnancy and secondary hypertension.
Which DGS norms cover vaccination for 2026-2027?
For autumn-winter 2026-2027 the applicable norms are Norma n.º 007/2026 for COVID-19, Norma n.º 006/2026 for seasonal influenza and Norma n.º 004/2026 for respiratory syncytial virus immunisation in paediatric age. Norma n.º 002/2026 updates the HPV vaccination strategy within the National Vaccination Programme.
What does DGS Norma 006/2026 say about flu vaccination?
Norma 006/2026, dated 17/09/2026 and updated 23/09/2026, sets the seasonal flu vaccination campaign from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Vaccination is free for children aged 6 months to 4 years, people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, people aged 5 to 59 with risk conditions, residents of institutions and occupational groups named in the norm. In participating pharmacies, free vaccination covers people aged 60 to 84 and people aged 18 to 59 with a risk condition.
What does Norma 007/2026 say about COVID-19 vaccination in 2026-2027?
Norma 007/2026, dated 17/09/2026 and updated 30/09/2026, sets the seasonal campaign from 30 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. Eligible groups are people aged 70 and over, people with moderate or severe immunosuppression from 6 months of age, adults with risk conditions, frailty or multimorbidity, pregnant women, care-home residents and health professionals with risk factors or who care for vulnerable groups. People aged 60 to 69 may be vaccinated on request, without a medical declaration.
What is Norma 004/2026 on respiratory syncytial virus?
Norma 004/2026, dated 02/09/2026, sets seasonal RSV immunisation in children with the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab, from 16 September 2026 to 31 March 2027. It covers all children born between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, preterm children up to 33 weeks and 6 days born in the first quarter of 2026 and not yet immunised, and children with added risk factors entering their second season. Those born before 16 September are immunised in a catch-up campaign until 30 October 2026.
When does flu and COVID-19 vaccination start in Portugal in 2026?
On 30 September 2026, running until 31 March 2027, in SNS health units and participating community pharmacies, under Normas 006/2026 and 007/2026. Both vaccines may be given in the same session, and paediatric RSV immunisation started earlier, on 16 September 2026.
What is the DGS norm for HPV vaccination in 2026?
Norma 002/2026, dated 08/04/2026, updates the HPV vaccination strategy in the National Vaccination Programme, with the cohorts covered and the schedule. The text in force is at the DGS link in the entry above.
What is the DGS norm for pregnancy and the postpartum period?
Norma 001/2023, updated 23/03/2026, organises care before conception, in pregnancy and in the postpartum period: the number and content of consultations, the tests for each period and the referral criteria.
How do I know whether a DGS norm is still in force?
The DGS states the publication date on the norm's own page and, where applicable, the date of the most recent update. An older norm can remain in force until it is revoked or replaced, so the update date is what to confirm before applying it.
Does DR. INFO search the DGS norms?
Yes. DR. INFO retrieves national guidance including DGS norms, alongside European and international society guidelines such as ESC, NICE, KDIGO and WHO, and answers in Portuguese. Every answer links the document it used, so you can confirm the source rather than trust a summary.
Is this directory complete?
No. It lists the norms published or updated in 2026, by clinical area. Earlier norms can remain in force and are available in the complete listing on the DGS site.