The flu vaccine paid for by the state will certainly not be enough for everyone who is entitled to it, said the head of the Latvian Association of Rural Family Physicians (LLĢA), a member of the Saeima, Līga Kozlovska (ZZS ), to LETA group. Flu vaccines were received 10% less than expected, Kozlovska said.
Vaccination against the flu is especially important for patients with a chronic group and risk, said the doctor. Without getting the flu vaccine for chronic patients, the illness “can end with a very bad result,” she emphasized.
The flu vaccine is also needed for the social care patient group, she said, adding that all groups in the general population could suffer because of shortages. “It would be impossible if the classification of vaccines started, so this issue should be resolved immediately,” said Kozlovska.
Therefore, the LLĀAA will investigate the practices of family doctors until Tuesday next week, to identify the lack of flu vaccines. As the head of the association said, the study has already caused a good response. Currently, out of 100 GP practices surveyed, around 65 have confirmed in the survey that they will not have enough flu vaccines by the end of the year.
The members of the LLĀAA are of the same opinion that, based on the results of the study on GP practices, they should consider approaching the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Cabinet of Ministers with a request for the urgent purchase of additional flu vaccines . .
In addition, the issue of flu vaccines is expected to be raised at the Saeima Public Health Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday 23 October. It is expected that the budget of the health department for the next year will be discussed at the meeting. Therefore, the meeting will also look for solutions to find additional funding for the purchase of flu vaccines. It is not clear whether a separate provision could be created, or whether internal resources could be reallocated, contact LLAA.
Although several medical facilities had leftover flu vaccines from last year, purchasing flu vaccines for this seasonal flu shot was a planning and logistical problem, Kozlovska said.
As for the Covid-19 vaccines, the situation is good and “there are no alarm bells” – they were bought in sufficient quantities, she noted.
As reported, 6,370 fewer flu vaccines were purchased this season than last season. Last season, a total of 131,023 doses of different types of influenza vaccine were given to institutions, and the total unused balance was 13,349 doses, according to the information published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The actual use of vaccines purchased last year was 117,674 doses.
Meanwhile, contracts to buy 124,720 doses of the flu vaccine have been finalized for this season, according to data from the National Health Service. When applying for the number of flu shots, GP practices take into account the previous season’s vaccination coverage, including the number of flu shots which is left.
Source: LETA
2024-10-20 19:26:00
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