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13 clusters · 34 sources · 51 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 5 days ago

Bulgaria faces flu vaccine shortages and legislative shifts

Overview

Bulgaria has entered the influenza season following the isolation of the A(H3N2) virus in Sofia. Experts, including Assoc. Prof. Trifon Valkov, have identified three primary strains expected to circulate: two Type A variants and one Type B variant. While the A(H3N2) variant has shown significant mutation, vaccines for the 2026/2027 season have been adapted to address these changes.

To manage the season, Bulgaria launched a free immunization program in October targeting children aged 6 months to 7 years, children up to 17 with chronic conditions, and adults over 65. However, significant shortages persist. The Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union and the Ministry of Health confirmed that manufacturer supply issues have made one of the two approved injectable vaccines unavailable in pharmacies, forcing doctors to decide “who receives a vaccine and who is refused due to insufficient supplies.”

In response to logistical challenges, legislative efforts are underway to allow pharmacies to administer vaccines. Dimitar Marinov, chairman of the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union, noted that a legislative text has passed its first reading in the parliamentary healthcare committee. This move aims to prevent risks to vaccine stability caused by the current requirement for patients to transport vaccines between doctors and pharmacies.

Regarding supply, the first 150,000 doses have arrived, including Efluelda for those aged 75 and older and Vaxigrip for children and seniors. An additional 300,000 doses of Vaxigrip are expected between November 9 and 13. Despite these shipments, some citizens have sought nasal vaccines or other preparations from neighboring Greece, Romania, or Serbia due to local shortages or uncertainty.

Entities

Bulgaria · Ministry of Health · National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases · Todor Kantardzhiev · National Health Insurance Fund

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] Previous infection or vaccination provides a baseline level of immunity against current circulating strains.
[● 2 SOURCES] It takes two weeks after vaccination to develop full immunity.
[● 2 SOURCES] Bulgaria received 150,000 doses of seasonal flu vaccines. safenews.bg · novini247.com
[● 2 SOURCES] 50,000 doses of Efluelda were delivered for people aged 75 and older. safenews.bg · novini247.com
[● 2 SOURCES] 84,000 doses of Vaxigrip were delivered for people aged 65 and older. safenews.bg · novini247.com
[● 2 SOURCES] 16,000 doses of Vaxigrip were delivered for children. safenews.bg · novini247.com
[● 2 SOURCES] An additional 300,000 doses of Vaxigrip are expected between November 9 and November 13. safenews.bg · novini247.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Technical difficulties in cultivating the H3N2 influenza A strain have caused production delays.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The influenza vaccine shortage affects multiple European countries, not just Bulgaria.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bulgaria has ordered approximately 180,000 influenza vaccine doses for the pharmacy network.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Total contracted injectable flu vaccines approach 450,000 doses. novini247.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Some Bulgarian citizens are purchasing vaccines from Greece due to local shortages. trafficnews.bg

Timeline

5 days ago

[HEALTH] 4 sources
Bulgaria receives first 150,000 seasonal flu vaccine doses
Bulgaria has received 150,000 flu vaccine doses for children and seniors, with 300,000 more expected in mid-November to meet national prevention program requirements.
8 days ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Bulgaria considers allowing flu vaccine administration in pharmacies
Bulgaria is moving toward allowing pharmacies to administer flu vaccines to improve access and stability, following a first reading of the relevant legislative text in parliament.
8 days ago

[HEALTH] 4 sources
Bulgaria health expert stresses importance of influenza vaccination
Epidemiologist Angel Kunchev stresses that influenza vaccines are essential to prevent severe complications and protect vulnerable populations in Bulgaria during the upcoming flu season.
10 days ago

[HEALTH] 8 sources
Bulgaria faces influenza vaccine shortage as flu season begins
Bulgaria faces a critical influenza vaccine shortage, forcing doctors into ethical dilemmas and driving citizens to seek vaccines in Greece due to manufacturing delays and limited supply.
17 days ago

[HEALTH] 6 sources
Bulgaria flu update: Expert warns of potential vaccine delivery delays
Professor Todor Kantardzhiev states Bulgaria is not at a flu peak but warns that vaccine delays until late December could strain the healthcare system.
23 days ago

[HEALTH] 4 sources
Bulgarian health expert predicts influenza peak for early 2025
Professor Todor Kantardzhiev predicts the influenza peak will occur in late January or early February, advising hygiene, masks in crowds, and timely vaccination to manage respiratory infections.
23 days ago

[HEALTH] 15 sources
Bulgaria begins nasal flu vaccinations amid injectable vaccine delays
Bulgaria has begun nasal flu vaccinations for children, but injectable vaccine supplies face delays due to global production issues with the H3N2 strain.
25 days ago

[HEALTH] 5 sources
Bulgaria begins seasonal nasal flu and COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Bulgaria has launched its seasonal vaccination campaign, providing nasal flu vaccines for children and new COVID-19 doses, though injectable flu vaccine supplies face delays.
28 days ago

[HEALTH] 7 sources
Bulgaria expands free flu vaccination program for seniors and children
Bulgaria is expanding its vaccination program for the 2026-2027 season, offering free flu shots to seniors and children for the first time, amid concerns over potential supply shortages.
about 1 month ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Bulgaria increases influenza vaccine supply for upcoming season
Bulgaria is increasing its influenza vaccine supply to 770,000 doses for the upcoming season, with free immunization available for children and seniors over 65.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 3 sources
Bulgaria to launch free influenza vaccination program for children
Bulgaria will launch a free influenza vaccination program for children starting in October, targeting those aged 6 months to 7 years and children up to 17 with chronic conditions.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 2 sources
Bulgarian specialist predicts three influenza strains for upcoming winter
Specialist Trifon Valkov warns of three expected flu strains this winter, noting that 2026/2027 vaccines are adapted to these variants, including A(H3N2). Free vaccines are available for children and seniors.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 5 sources
Bulgaria to provide free nasal flu vaccine for children
Bulgaria will offer the Fluenz nasal spray for free to children under 17 during the 2026–2027 flu season, alongside two injectable vaccines, with the Ministry monitoring stocks to prevent shortages.

Sources

a-specto.bg · actualno.com · blagoevgrad24.bg · breaking.bg · burgas24.bg · burgasmedia.com · clinica.bg · clubz.bg · dobrudjabg.com · fakti.bg · healthcaremagazine.bg · iskra.bg · lady.mk · moreto.net · novini247.com · pbnovini.com · petel.bg · pik.bg · plovdiv24.bg · plovdivnow.bg · retro.bg · ruse.news · safenews.bg · securityadvisor.com · standartnews.com · telegraph.bg · trafficnews.bg · tritegrada.eu · varna24.bg · vesti.bg · vevesti.bg · viaranews.com · zdrave.net · zonanews.bg

This summary has been updated 20 times: see revision history