Flu vaccine shortage: Influvac not in pharmacies, Bulgarians get jabs in Greece
One manufacturer is receiving fewer doses than planned, and all will go to state programmes. GPs are not expected to get vaccines until the end of October.
Symbolic image · Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Jakel / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
The flu vaccine Influvac will not be available in Bulgarian pharmacies in the 2026/2027 season. The marketing authorisation holder will receive "smaller quantities than originally planned" and the entire supply will go to the national immunisation programmes, the Bulgarian Pharmaceutical Union said. The Health Ministry confirmed it had received a letter from the manufacturer and said supplies to pharmacies are a commercial matter between pharmacies, wholesalers and authorisation holders.
At the same time, deliveries to GPs are delayed: last year the vaccine had reached them by 10 October, but this year, according to the ministry, it will not arrive until the end of the month. The plan is for 450,000 doses for people aged 65 and over and around 50,000 for children aged six months to two years and eight to 18 years. The children's programme is fully covered, while the adult programme has 92 per cent of the contracted amount. The ministry blames manufacturers, who are releasing batches to EU countries in stages.
According to BNT, patients from places such as Blagoevgrad are travelling to Greece, where the vaccine is already on sale in pharmacies. One authorisation holder expects around 70,000 doses for pharmacies in mid-November, whereas last year's 180,000 doses sold out quickly. GP Dr Gergana Nikolova says there is no need to travel abroad: immunity builds up in about two weeks, and October and November are equally suitable for vaccination.