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23-03-2021

National Health Insurance Fund: Lithuania has already purchased new season flu vaccines

Iliustracija

The National Health Insurance Fund under the Ministry of Health (NHIF) has already bought 257 thousand four-valent doses of vaccine for the flu season of 2021-2022. This is almost 5% more than the fund purchased last year. Vaccinations purchased from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF) budget are intended for persons in increased risk groups.

Given the epidemiological situation, the growing need not only for vaccination against COVD-19 disease, but also against influenza in the world, as well as preparing for the upcoming colds season, the NHIF has signed a contract for the purchase of influenza vaccine as early as possible.

The purchase cost slightly more than EUR 2.2 million for the CHIF budget. This is almost 100 thousand euros less than last year, and the price of a single dose decreased by about 9 percent.

“The world's demand for influenza vaccines has increased incredibly as early as last season. The situation was and remains affected by the spread of coronavirus. The increase in demand for influenza vaccines is also felt now. Therefore, the specialists of the national health insurance fund have hastened to sign a contract for the purchase and delivery of this vaccine to Lithuania as early as possible,” - says Lina Reinartienė, Head of the Centrally Paid Medicines Department of NHIF.

According to her, the fact that procurement procedures were started very early allowed producers to plan the need for vaccine and production volumes rationally and in advance. In part, this helped to reduce the price of the purchase itself.

“It is planned, that according to the established procedure, the vaccine will be delivered to Lithuania in two stages — we hope to receive it in September and October. Such supplies are more convenient for personal health care facilities because most of them have nowhere to store a larger amount of vaccinations,” - says L. Reinartienė.

The World Health Organization, well-known Lithuanian medical professionals and epidemiologists have repeatedly stressed that seasonal influenza vaccine is vital to protect society from severe forms of influenza, hospitalization, complications and death. Especially this vaccine is relevant for people at risk, for whom the flu is much more dangerous and can even be fatal.

According to the specialists of NHIF, the vaccine is produced anew for each season of influenza, its production and delivery to the country can take from 6 to 8 months. In preparation for the 2021-2022 flu season, medical institutions indicated the need for a vaccine at the end of 2020. Like other European countries, Lithuania will receive vaccines in autumn. In accordance with the National Program for Immunoprophylaxis 2019-2023, this year a four-valent influenza vaccine was purchased.

The vaccine purchased from the CHIF funds will be used to vaccinate persons at risk: persons 65 years and older, pregnant women, persons living in social care and nursing institutions, as well as those suffering from chronic diseases of the heart and blood vessels, respiratory tract, kidneys, chronic diseases associated with immune mechanisms, malignant tumours. The compensated vaccine is also use to vaccinate employees of health facilities.

Residents at risk should consult their family doctor for vaccination.

In Lithuania, people at risk groups have been vaccinated by vaccines paid for by CHIF funds since 2008.

The NHIF invites you:

Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222.

Last updated: 27-05-2021

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