Sasho Klekovski: First 56,000 flu vaccines to arrive in about ten days; vaccination to start on schedule
Minister says procurement was delayed after a tender drew no bids and WHO changed the three strains; first doses expected within ten days.
Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said he expects vaccines for the seasonal flu to arrive by November 15 and that immunization will begin on schedule in October despite a delay in procurement.
Klekovski confirmed the purchase was late because the published tender received no bids. He linked the procurement setback to a decision by the World Health Organization to change all three strains in the recommended composition of the seasonal influenza vaccine for the northern hemisphere.
Procurement and delivery plan
Vaccines were obtained through direct contact with a European manufacturer. Under the agreement, 56,000 doses of the planned 80,000 have been secured. Klekovski said the first shipments should start arriving in about ten days and the full quantity is to be delivered to the country by mid-November. The Ministry of Health said efforts to secure the remaining doses are continuing.
“Such a simultaneous change is unusual and caused delays in production among manufacturers at a global level. Because of that, in several countries in Europe and the region the start of vaccination is expected in November,” the minister said.
Vaccination against seasonal influenza is scheduled to take place between October 16 and October 25. The vaccine will be provided free of charge to priority groups: people over 65, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and health-care workers.
Photo: press material from the event
