The vaccination program for the winter period 2026-2027 is now in the phase of distributing flu vaccines, with personal doctors being asked to submit their orders and the first vaccinations for people aged 60 and over.
The Health Insurance Organization has informed adult personal doctors that they can order flu vaccines from October 6 to 8, with a maximum quantity of 150 vaccines per order.
At this stage, only Efluelda is available, which, according to the instructions of the Ministry of Health, is administered exclusively to people aged 60 years and over.
What should people over 60 do?
For citizens, the process is simple. Those who are 60 years old and over and wish to be vaccinated for seasonal flu should contact their personal doctor and arrange an appointment.
Citizens do not need to order or procure the vaccine themselves. The quantities are available through personal doctors, who also undertake the vaccination for the beneficiaries of the GHS. The Ministry of Health has placed the start of vaccinations with Efluelda in the first ten days of October, subject to availability.
The distribution of vaccines is coordinated by a private company contracted with the Ministry of Health.
This means that the exact time at which each personal doctor will be able to start vaccinating also depends on the receipt of the doses. For this reason, citizens can contact their doctor to arrange the appointment.
What applies to children
The scene is different for children and people under 60 in general.
According to the vaccination plan of the Ministry of Health, all citizens over six months of age are eligible for influenza vaccination. Priority, however, is given to vulnerable and high-risk groups, especially those over 60 years of age.
For people from six months and older, Vaxigrip TIV is available. This vaccine, however, is not included in the current distribution phase and the Ministry of Health states that a new announcement on its availability will follow.
When its availability begins, the flu vaccination of GHS beneficiaries will be carried out by adult and children's personal doctors, by appointment.
Particular priority is given to children over six months of age who have specific aggravating factors or chronic diseases, including asthma or other chronic lung diseases, heart disease, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney or liver disease and certain neurological or neuromuscular diseases.
The groups for which vaccination is recommended also include all children over the age of six months to 17 years, as well as people who are in close contact with infants under six months of age or care for people with underlying diseases and an increased risk of complications from the flu.
Priority for vulnerable groups
The distribution of vaccines will be gradual and personal doctors are asked to prioritize their patients according to the quantities they receive and the medical history of each beneficiary.
This year's plan covers overall protection against the three main respiratory viruses, seasonal flu, COVID-19 and RSV, with the Ministry of Health making the relevant vaccines and preparations available free of charge.
What doctors should do
For their part, adult personal doctors are invited to submit their orders for the Efluelda vaccine from October 6 to 8, through the special link sent to them by the HIO, with a maximum quantity of 150 vaccines per order.
At this stage, orders are exclusively for Efluelda and therefore for the vaccination of people aged 60 and over. The distribution of the doses is coordinated by a private company contracted with the Ministry of Health and the delivery time is not determined by the HIO.
