Patients with oncological diseases are vaccinated free of charge with influenza and pneumococcal vaccines
Health insurance funds draw the attention of oncology patients who are covered by mandatory health insurance to the fact that they can be vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal infection free of charge. These vaccines are paid for from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF).
Both influenza and pneumococcal infection are particularly dangerous for at-risk individuals, including those with oncological diseases. Therefore, the importance of vaccines to protect against complex complications has been repeatedly emphasized by the World Health Organization, Lithuanian physicians and epidemiologists. Experts fear that this autumn-winter season, the incidence of influenza may be much higher than last year, when most people were "imprisoned" at home by coronavirus.
In preparation for the flu season of 2021–2022, the National Health Insurance Fund under the Ministry of Health (NHIF) bought 257 thousand doses of tetravalent influenza vaccine. That is almost 5 percent more than last year. For the THIF budget, the purchase cost a little more than 2.2 million euros. The first shipment of influenza vaccine - 100 thousand doses have already reached Lithuania, vaccines are currently being distributed to medical institutions. The second shipment of this year's influenza vaccine is scheduled to reach Lithuania at the end of October.
Influenza vaccine purchased with THIF funds is administered free of charge to persons at risk: persons aged 65 and over, pregnant women, persons living in social care and nursing institutions, as well as patients with oncological, chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, chronic diseases related to immune mechanisms. Compensation of vaccination also applies to healthcare workers.
Pneumococcal vaccines for at-risk individuals are also available in treatment facilities.
Specialists from the health insurance funds remind that the pneumococcal vaccine purchased with THIF funds is used to vaccinate persons included in the list of risk groups approved by order of the Minister of Health. As mentioned, these are people with oncological as well as rheumatic, kidney, liver diseases, heart failure, etc.
Residents at risk should consult their family doctor for vaccinations.
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Your questions are welcome by email [email protected] or phone: local (8 5) 232 2222, international +370 5 232 2222.
Last updated: 22-09-2021
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