Lithuania faces delays in seasonal influenza vaccine deliveries

State-funded seasonal influenza vaccines in Lithuania are expected to arrive later than usual, with deliveries to medical institutions projected for November. Manufacturers attribute the delay to a prolonged process for updating vaccine compositions and a shortage of necessary reagents.

To align with World Health Organization recommendations for the 2026–2027 Northern Hemisphere season, vaccine compositions were updated to include new A(H1N1), A(H3N2), and B/Victoria virus strains. This required manufacturers to adjust and re-adapt production processes. Similar supply challenges are being experienced by other European countries.

The Lithuanian Ministry is collaborating with international institutions, including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the European Medicines Agency, and the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), to assess the extent of the delays. Health officials noted that a later start to vaccinations does not eliminate protection, as immunity typically develops within 10–14 days and peak flu activity often occurs in winter.