The health insurance funds: time to get a flu shot
The flu vaccines for the 2022-2023 flu season have been successfully distributed among all Lithuanian healthcare institutions. The National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) under the Ministry of Health is urging the risk groups to get their free flu shot and protect themselves and their nearest and dearest.
The flu season in Lithuania usually starts in October, reaching the peak in January-February. According to epidemiologists, the body becomes immune to the flu in approximately 2 weeks after the shot, while the largest amount of antibodies is formed in 4-6 week, so anyone planning their dose should do that immediately.
This vaccine became particularly relevant during the coronavirus pandemic, as the treatment of both the flu and Covid-19 at the same time is much more complicated with a risk of severe complications.
Preparing for the upcoming cold season, NHIF bought more than 201 thousand doses of influenza vaccine at a record-breaking early time of February The cost of the purchase was a little more than 1.5 million Eur from the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (CHIF). The cost of a single dose decreased by 13 per cent, compared to last year.
The World Health Organisation and known Lithuanian physicians and epidemiologists have repeatedly numerous times that the seasonal flu vaccine is vital in order to protect the society from severe forms of flu, hospitalization, complications and death. This vaccine is particularly relevant for risk groups, where the flu is much more dangerous and could be even fatal.
Just like every year, the flu vaccine, covered from CHIF, will be offered to risk groups like 65-year-old seniors or older, pregnant women, residents of social care and nursing institutions, also persons with chronic diseases. Moreover, reimbursed vaccinations are also offered to health care workers.
Anyone in the risk groups wanting to get a vaccine should contact their general physician. They can get a vaccine for the flu, pneumococcal infection and COVID-19 in just one visit. All interested should consult their general physician individually.
NHIF is kindly reminding that each new flu season requires a new vaccine and the amounts distributed among medical institutions depend on the demand. According to the National Programme of Immunoprophylaxis 2019-2023, just like in the previous flu season, medic facilities will be equipped with a quadrivalent flu vaccine.
(Piktochart pict.)
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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: 16-01-2023
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