The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) announced on Monday that it has secured 420.000 doses of trivalent inactivated vaccine against seasonal flu and that vaccination in most counties will begin on October 13th.
The vaccine, as in previous years, will be available free of charge to citizens who are at increased risk of developing more severe forms of the flu and its complications, and is currently being distributed to county public health institutes.
This year's vaccine composition is aligned with the World Health Organization's recommendations and is based on monitoring of the viruses that dominated the previous season. It contains three vaccine strains: A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like strain, A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like strain and B/Austria/1359417/2021-like strain.
Citizens can get vaccinated at family doctors and pediatricians, and vaccinations will also be available at public health institutes. It is recommended to make appointments in advance by phone to avoid crowds in waiting rooms that facilitate the spread of flu, COVID and other respiratory infections.
People over 65, chronically ill people, residents and employees of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, pregnant women and healthcare workers are eligible for free vaccination. This group also includes children with lung, heart or metabolic diseases, as well as younger patients who are at increased risk of Reye's syndrome due to treatment with drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid.
Citizens who do not belong to risk groups, but want protection against the flu, can obtain the vaccine at a pharmacy based on a private prescription. Pharmacies issue it exclusively with a doctor's prescription, and it is necessary to ensure that the vaccine is stored at refrigerator temperature until it arrives at the clinic.
The HZJZ also reminds that people over the age of 12 can receive flu and COVID vaccines at the same time. Some pharmacies have also offered flu vaccinations in previous years, so those interested are advised to check with the pharmacy for this option.
Photo: HINA
