The flu is out there: you still have a chance to get vaccinated
Epidemiologists report an increasing number of cases of the flu in Lithuania. Experts of health insurance funds are kindly reminding of the free vaccinations available, enabling to evade complications.
The general incidence of the flu and acute upper respiratory tract infections is currently 60 cases per 10 thousand residents, says the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health. The number of cases keeps increasing every day.
‘The flu season usually peaks in January-February, coming to a decline in May, so you shouldn’t delay your vaccination. Medical institutions still have enough vaccines, purchased by health insurance funds.’ says Lina Reinartienė, Head of the Centrally Procured Pharmaceuticals Division of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Ministry of Health.
According to her, residents should heed the warnings of epidemiologists that the flu could hit much harder this year than last year, when the quarantine forced everyone to stay at home. Both the flu and its complications can be evaded only by getting a vaccine.
Free flu vaccinations are available for persons in certain risk groups: 65-year-old residents and older people, pregnant women, residents of social care and nursing institutions, also patients with oncological, chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, renal diseases. They are also available for persons with chronic diseases that are related to immune mechanisms. Moreover, reimbursed vaccinations are also offered to health care workers.
Vaccination applications should be directed to family doctors.
To prepare for the cold season, the NHIF purchased flu vaccines back in March. The first batch of the flu vaccines reached Lithuania in early September, the second one – in November. The cost of the purchase was a little more than 2.2 million Eur from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund.
The NHIF invites you:
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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: 17-01-2022
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