From October 15, the flu vaccination campaign begins. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and the chronically ill will be able to be immunized for free, and those between the ages of 45 and 65 will benefit from a 50% discount. The vaccine can also be administered in accredited pharmacies. This year’s sera offer protection for three strains instead of four as in years past. The explanation? One of the strains has completely disappeared from circulation.
PHOTO by Pixabay
Who can get vaccinated for free?
According to the National Health Insurance House, the list of those who can be vaccinated for free includes the following categories:
– Children and young people aged between six months and 19 years
– Pregnant women
– People over 665 years old
– People aged between 19 and 65 who suffer from chronic cardiovascular diseases; chronic respiratory diseases; chronic kidney disease; chronic liver diseases; chronic neurological diseases; metabolic diseases; oncological diseases; autoimmune diseases; congenital malformations; obesity; HIV/AIDS infection; asplenia; immunosuppressive therapy; transplantation. – congenital immunosuppression.
– Medical and auxiliary staff.
..Traditionally, during this period we encounter sporadic cases of influenza. The heaviest circulation is to occur towards the end of November, perhaps even December, with a peak in January and February. That is why it is very important that people in risk groups present themselves now, in October, for vaccination, so that at the beginning of the flu season they have full protection”says Gindrovel Dumitra, family doctor.
Those aged between 45 and 65 benefit from a compensation of 50% of the vaccine price.
The others can get vaccinated for a fee. The price of the classic vaccine (Tetravex) is 80 lei, and the nasal version of the vaccine for children costs 269 lei. Influenza vaccination is recommended by doctors for everyone.
What are the steps to follow
The free or compensated vaccine is obtained on the basis of a prescription from the family doctor or a specialist doctor (e.g. pediatrician, pulmonologist, general practitioner). Once the prescription is obtained, the vaccines can be picked up from pharmacies. Those who do not benefit from any compensation can buy the vaccine without a prescription. Then, patients have two options: either they go to the doctor to administer the vaccine, or they can get it on the spot in accredited pharmacies.
Beatrice Speteanu, pharmacist and president of the Association of Traditional Pharmacies and Practitioners says:
“This year comes with a novelty: it was adopted two weeks ago, in the Parliament, the status of the pharmaceutical service, it is recognized.
It is much more practical for patients to choose a pharmacy in their vicinity. It will take about 30-40 minutes and they will be able to leave vaccinated. The easiest is for those who are in the field of work and do not have time for appointments, to go to the doctor. We are talking about the age group between 20 and 50 years old, but we also have many elderly people who want this, because it is easier for them”.
The list of accredited pharmacies, where you can get your flu shot, can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health.
What conditions must pharmacies meet?
In addition to the need for accredited staff, pharmacies must meet other conditions to offer vaccination services.
,,The pharmacy must have a space specially designed for vaccination. It must ensure the patient’s discretion, because an anamnesis will also be taken, we must keep him monitored even after the vaccination and then he will be able to go home safely. There must also be a sink next to the special dispenser for used biological products. That’s why not all pharmacies can lend themselves to vaccination in the pharmacy. And also the pharmacist has to take the courses,” explains Beatrice Speteanu.
It also emphasizes the importance of vaccination:
“We are talking about the elderly, small children, pregnant women, people who also have other ailments. They are the first ones who should protect themselves. Vaccination is prevention. Antiviral treatment is much more aggressive. In the case of adverse reactions from vaccination, there are European countries that have not reported any”.
This year’s vaccines offer protection against three strains of the flu virus
New this year, the vaccines offer protection against three strains of flu. Doctors say that a fourth strain would have completely disappeared from circulation, for a reason related to the COVID 19 pandemic.
“As a result of the measures to limit the spread of the Sars-CoV2 virus in the pandemic, we have a collateral victim: the influenza type B virus, the Yamagata lineage. Practically this subtype of influenza virus has not been identified in circulation since April 2020. Consequently, it has been excluded from the vaccine. It’s an exclusion as a result of the absence from circulation for over four years of this genetic line”explains doctor Gindrovel Dumitra.
