Greece launches 2026-2027 influenza vaccination campaign

The 2026-2027 influenza vaccination campaign has officially launched in Greece. Following guidelines from the World Health Organization, this year’s vaccines are exclusively trivalent, as the B/Yamagata strain has effectively disappeared globally. The vaccines are designed to cover two Influenza A strains and one Influenza B strain.

Health authorities recommend that vaccination takes place between mid-October and late November to ensure immunity is developed before the expected peak in February and March. In Thessaloniki, approximately 300,000 doses are being distributed to pharmacies, with 50% already received.

Vaccination is free for high-risk groups through social security funds. For the general adult population, conventional trivalent vaccines can be administered at pharmacies using only a social security number (AMKA), without a medical prescription. However, enhanced vaccines recommended for individuals over 60 or 65 years of age require an electronic medical prescription. Additionally, a nasal spray vaccine is available for children aged 2-5 years, administered by pediatricians.