Bulgaria receives first 150,000 doses of injectable flu vaccines

The first 150,000 doses of injectable seasonal influenza vaccines have arrived in Bulgaria, following a delay in the usual distribution schedule. The Ministry of Health announced that these doses are intended for children and individuals aged 65 and older under national immunization programs.

Distribution to general practitioners is currently underway. Epidemiologist Assoc. Prof. Hristiana Batselova noted that while vaccination is ideal in October to allow the body 14 days to build immunity, receiving doses in November is not too late. She highlighted that this delay, which she claims has not occurred since 2008, may be due to industrial production issues.

Batselova observed that Bulgaria has faced more significant vaccine shortages compared to other EU member states like Romania and Greece. She noted that while program-based vaccines are arriving, there is currently a lack of injectable vaccines available on the free market for those not covered by the state's free immunization strategy.