Seasonal flu vaccination campaign begins; minister urges healthcare workers to get vaccinated

The national seasonal influenza vaccination campaign has started, with the largest number of registrations reported in Skopje, Prilep, Strumica and Tetovo. Health authorities say thousands signed up in the first week while actual vaccinations remain limited so far.

Officials report that 55,000 citizens registered for the seasonal flu vaccine within a single week; by midday today 368 people had been vaccinated. Yesterday health centres sent 5,500 SMS invitations and recorded about 350 cancellations, which officials say are likely due to unsuitable appointment times, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said.

Low uptake among healthcare staff

Authorities expressed concern over weak interest among healthcare workers. "Most of those registered are over 65 and have chronic illnesses. We have relatively few registered healthcare workers and I appeal — despite teams from the Institute of Public Health and the Public Health Centres visiting hospitals — that healthcare workers respond to vaccination as much as possible," Minister Sasho Klekovski said.

Who should prioritise vaccination

Dimitar Karkinski, director of the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases and Tuberculosis, urged patients with chronic and respiratory conditions to be vaccinated before the peak season. He warned of heavy pressure on hospitals in December and January and said vaccination can prevent higher mortality. "It is very important that patients, apart from those with chronic disease, patients who have respiratory illnesses get vaccinated, because we have terrible crowds in December and January. Patients must protect their health and, unfortunately, then the number of deaths rises. And all this we can avoid with vaccination. Healthcare workers are on the front line and I urge them to get vaccinated," Karkinski said.

So far the Institute of Public Health has confirmed only two cases of influenza A. "We are still at the start of the season and therefore I want to say this is the best time to be vaccinated: the start is appropriate because in a week or two those who receive the vaccine will have developed immunity," Dr. Marija Andonovska, director of the Institute of Public Health, said.

Health authorities expect a shipment of BSŽ vaccines from Japan within the next ten days. Until that consignment arrives, newborns will not be vaccinated in maternity wards. Vaccination of newborns will resume immediately after the new batch arrives and in coordination with UNICEF, officials said.

Separately, authorities are awaiting laboratory analyses of vaccines from Bulgarian manufacturer Bul Bio after four reports in Croatia alleging suspected bone inflammation in small children. Officials say those reports are under review while the vaccination campaign continues.

Photo: press material from the event