The ministry pointed out that according to the information provided by vaccine manufacturers, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for influenza vaccines has increased worldwide, including in Latvia.
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For the first time, the Latvian vaccination plan has been supplemented with two groups – medical practitioners and clients and employees of social care centers. In addition to the two groups already mentioned, vaccines purchased by the state are also intended for pregnant women and children under two years of age. Thus, the total amount of vaccines purchased by the state this year is 90,000 doses, compared to 33,000 doses last year.
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Also this year, changes have been made in the amount of influenza vaccine compensation for seniors from the age of 65 and people with chronic diseases, increasing the state compensation from 50% to 100%, the VM emphasized.
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According to the information provided by the representatives of pharmaceutical manufacturers, the total number of influenza vaccines imported to Latvia this year is 194,238 doses, including 90,000 vaccines purchased by the state, which is 12% more than in the previous season and more than annually in the last five years.
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According to the information provided by the Ministry of Health, by 14 October, 34,000 persons have already purchased vaccines in the state reimbursement system in pharmacies. In turn, paid vaccines are also offered to residents in vaccination offices of medical institutions.
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Therefore, VM, analyzing the available information, as well as data from pharmacies, concludes that the availability of influenza vaccines this season will be limited.
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The ministry also emphasizes that vaccines are reserved for medical practitioners, social care centers, as well as pregnant women and children under the age of two and will be available at the family doctor, vaccinated immediately in the office, or for medical practitioners and care centers organized in their institutions.
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Paid vaccines, on the other hand, are available in limited quantities, but are still available in vaccination rooms. Given the prevalence of Covid-19, the VM urges residents to call the facility before going to the facility to find out if flu vaccines are available.
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In turn, before going to the pharmacy, the ministry is invited to contact the pharmacy.
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The Ministry of Health explained that the manufacturers plan the amount of influenza vaccine for the current year in accordance with the trends in vaccination consumption in previous years. Because the vaccine is only valid for one season and its production process is complex and time-consuming, the vaccine is produced according to the projected volume in each country.
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At the same time, the ministry emphasized that due to the spread of Covid-19, the demand for influenza vaccines has increased not only in Latvia, but also in Europe. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals start the production of influenza vaccines about a year in advance, and their production for the 2020/2021 group season started in the autumn of 2019, respectively. With the onset of Covid-19 infection, it was no longer possible to increase production capacity and supply more vaccines to EU Member States than planned in autumn 2019.
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At the same time, the Ministry of Health reminded that vaccination is only one of the measures that reduces the risk of influenza. The Center for Disease Prevention and Control has also said that frequent hand washing, good nutrition, physical activity and two meters from people around and the use of a face mask, which are also important helpers to avoid infectious diseases, should not be forgotten.
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