The flu vaccine intended for seniors aged 85 and older is currently unavailable in several Local Health Units (ULS) throughout the country, as confirmed by the DE-SNS today. Measures have been introduced to enable these units to share doses among each other.
The report from RTP highlighted that vaccine stocks have been depleted in various ULS, with a replenishment awaited for over a month.
The high-dose flu vaccine aimed at seniors aged 85 and above is at the center of this issue.
When approached by Lusa, the Executive Directorate of the National Health Service (DE-SNS) confirmed via email a national shortage of high-dose flu vaccines. This “difficulty” is attributed to the success of ULS in raising awareness and mobilizing individuals for the vaccination program, resulting in significantly higher numbers than the previous year.
“The DE-SNS confirms that, to address this issue, coordination was established among the different ULS to share vaccines, in cases where some might have an excess, with others experiencing stock shortages, but this has reached its limit,” it explained.
According to DE-SNS, there are “no surpluses of these vaccines at the ULS,” prompting instructions for them “to purchase vaccines directly from suppliers.”
“It is important to note that responsibility for determining the quantities of vaccines to order lies with the Directorate General of Health,” it concluded.
Inquiries to the Ministry of Health by agency Lusa were redirected to the DGS, which also, in a written response, held the ULS accountable.
“Concerning the high-dose flu vaccine, acquisition is the responsibility of the ULS, with all individuals aged 85 or older, residing in ERPI [residential structure for the elderly] and similar institutions, being eligible. It is also the task of the ULS to ensure and facilitate vaccination access for all eligible individuals,” stated the DGS.
The organization noted that, in the ongoing campaign, the ULS requested a higher number of doses than the previous year, amounting to 357,764 doses compared to 349,390 acquired last year.
The DGS emphasized that approximately 300,000 doses of the high-dose flu vaccine were administered between September 23, 2025, and November 9, 2025.
“The campaign planning follows the principle of ensuring equity in access and administration of doses, aiming for efficient management to minimize waste. As a result, ULS routinely transfer doses among themselves as necessary to ensure a more efficient resource management, a practice consistently adopted throughout various campaigns. Should this not be feasible, the ULS moves to make an occasional purchase,” it added.
