Bulgaria begins seasonal nasal flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign

Bulgaria has begun its seasonal immunization campaign, with nasal influenza vaccines for children and updated COVID-19 vaccines now available. Health authorities have secured 47,504 doses of the trivalent nasal influenza vaccine, which follows World Health Organization guidelines. Additionally, the first 14,400 doses of the new COVID-19 vaccines for individuals aged 6 and older have arrived in the country.

While nasal vaccines are available for children, medical experts warn they are not permitted for infants or children under 2 years of age; this age group must use injectable forms. There is currently a significant delay in the delivery of traditional injectable influenza vaccines for both national programs for the elderly and commercial pharmacy stock, with approximately 770,000 doses expected only by late October due to global production issues and strain determination processes.

The national program for free childhood vaccination is specific in its scope, targeting 17% of children under 7 years old and 10,000 children with chronic illnesses. Experts note a discrepancy between parental expectations of universal free access and the actual parameters of the national program.