590,000 Doses of Flu Vaccine Ordered, Vaccination Plan in Preparation
ZAGREB, Sept 27, 2020 - Flu vaccinations in Croatia will start early this year, mid-October, due to the coronavirus epidemic, 590,000 doses of flu vaccine have been ordered, and a plan is being prepared to carry out vaccinations in adherence with all epidemiological measures.
"In January we ordered 460,000 doses of the vaccine, and now an additional 130,000 doses have been ordered. Soon, 560,000 doses should arrive, and 30,000 more in December. That is how many could be procured on the world market given the insufficient quantities of the flu vaccine," epidemiologist Branko Kolaric told Hina.
This is more than last year, when about 400,000 doses of the vaccine were ordered through the Croatian Health Insurance Institute (HZZO), said Kolaric.
Vaccination could start between October 15 and 20
He expects vaccination could start between October 15 and 20, which is three or four weeks earlier than last year.
Priority groups include people above the age of 65, health workers, staff in nursing homes, people with chronic diseases, and this year experts recommend getting vaccinated for the flu as a measure of protection against the coronavirus.
A plan is in preparation to carry out vaccination in adherence with epidemiological measures, and those belonging to risk groups should be vaccinated first, said Kolaric.
Flu epidemic accelerates the spread of coronavirus
A flu epidemic accelerates the spread of coronavirus, and if the two infections occur at the same time, we have a disease with a severe clinical picture, Kolaric said.
"In recent years, there has been an increase in the interest in vaccination, which had a downward trend in the 2000s due to the so-called anti-vaccination movement. This year, the interest is even stronger due to the coronavirus epidemic," he said
During the last flu season, which lasted until May 17 this year, Croatia recorded 59,725 cases of the infection. Last year's data show that the death toll from the flu was 117.
The flu vaccine is also available in pharmacies, its price is HRK 96.39 and it is in great demand, said president of the Croatian Chamber of Pharmacists (HLJK), Ana Soldo.
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Doctors Call on Croatians to Get Vaccinated Against Flu
ZAGREB, Sept 25, 2020 - The directors, Krunoslav Capak of the Croatian Institute for Public Health (HZJZ), and Alemka Markotic of the Infectious Diseases Hospital on Friday appealed to citizens to get vaccinated for the flu, underlining that in combination with the coronavirus it could cause serious complications.
A flu vaccine is arriving in the second week of October and this year we have secured 700,000 doses, said Capak presenting a public health education campaign - #PREVENTION and not #COMPLICATIONS on the occasion of World Pharmacists Day marked September 25.
The flu vaccine is not mandatory and its price this year is HRK 95 for a flu shot, however, citizens considered to be at risk can be vaccinated free of charge.
Capak is convinced that there will be a huge interest in flu vaccinations this winter considering that the entire world is asking for "an extra dose."
He added that the vaccine is not 100% efficient however it protects from serious complications 100% and it would be good for as many people to be vaccinated as possible.
Risk groups included people over the age of 65 and people with chronic diseases: heart, kidney, diabetics, pulmonary obstructions, oncology patients, and those with transplants, and anyone whose immune system has been compromised.
All health personnel has access to free vaccination as well as all personnel in aged care facilities. Other citizens will be required to pay vaccination costs.
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Flu Season Begins in Croatia: Quarter of Patients Have Severe Complications
The flu season in Croatia began unusually early this year and based upon the number of patients the epidemic is currently in an upward trajectory. Laboratory tests have confirmed 270 cases of Type A H1N1, a pandemic type which was called "swine" flu in 2009, when the virus was first isolated.
Vladimir Draženović, a virologist at the National Center for Influenza at the Croatian Institute of Public Health, reported that several cases with multiple complications have already appeared, according to Ivana Krnić/Jutarnji List on December 9, 2019.
Actual Number of Flu Cases Closer to 3000
- Considering that there are already 270 reported cases, we can safely assume that the actual number of those affected is closer to three thousand. Patients have experienced severe complications. We are getting calls from other European countries and colleagues are asking us what is happening in Croatia - says virologist Draženović.
He added that as many as ten percent of the patients have developed pneumonia. Adding encephalitis and myocarditis to the list means that number of flu patients experiencing severe complications is closer to twenty-five percent. Also, according to Draženović, it is unusual that about a dozen newborns have fallen ill.
Only Seeing H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Croatia
- We are getting inquiries from Europe since we only are only seeing the H1N1 type, which is also unusual because instances of all the other viruses are being reported outside the country. This flu virus, currently the only one in Croatia, has created major problems, from serious complications for many patients to fatalities - says Vladimir Draženović.
- We encountered one patient who was vaccinated and still got the flu and experienced inflammation of the brain sheath. However, this patient was vaccinated only three days earlier, so the vaccine has not yet started to work - says Draženović, adding that it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to take effect.
Get Vaccinated!
It is worth pointing out that the flu season has started to appear earlier and last longer.
- Until recently, this was the situation in January, but obviously trends are changing - says Draženović, who still recommends getting vaccinated.
This year, the vaccine was dispensed in record time, so besides 360,000 doses, another 30,000 have ordered to be distributed across the country. Since these vaccines are intended for at-risk groups, others can order the vaccine through a pharmacy, take it to their doctor, and get vaccinated there.
Follow our Lifestyle page for updates on the flu season in Croatia.
