Preparations for the cold season are underway - influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are now available
Before the cold season begins, the Ministry of Health (MoH) reminds everyone to take care of their immunity, and the best protection against the most common infectious diseases - influenza and coronavirus - is vaccination. Vaccination with influenza and the updated COVID-19 vaccines is most recommended for people at risk, who will receive both vaccines free of charge.
"During the 2024-2025 season, vaccination against COVID-19 will be carried out with updated vaccines that are different from those used last season. The renewal of COVID-19 vaccines was recommended by the European Medicines Agency back in April 2024. It is recommended to vaccinate against COVID-19 6 months after the disease or the last vaccination. The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended every year because flu viruses change and mutate. A new vaccine is developed each year based on the types of influenza viruses that circulate. Flu vaccines have also been updated to comply with the World Health Organisation's recommendations for the northern hemisphere," says Ginreta Megelinskienė, Adviser to the Health Promotion Unit at the SAM's Department of Public Health.
The National Public Health Centre (NPHC) regularly monitors the overall level of influenza incidence and notes that traditionally, the rise in acute upper respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) starts in autumn each year, and this year is no exception.
"When looking at the overall incidence of ARVs, rates are similar to pre-pandemic rates. However, looking at the structure of the incidence, we see that there is now a significant increase in the incidence of COVID-19 disease. The increase in SARS-CoV-2 activity in Europe started about 6 weeks earlier than in 2023 and a similar trend is observed in Lithuania. For the time being, we see no reason to panic, but it is important to remember and start taking basic measures to prevent ARVs. We recommend that you do not delay and get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, especially if you are at risk," says Greta Gargasienė, Adviser to the Infectious Disease Management Unit of the National Public Health Centre (NPHMC).
The increased incidence is also visible in health care facilities - according to family doctor Alma Astafjeva, family doctors have been noticing an increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in their work for about 4 weeks now.
"Patients have relatively mild symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, general weakness, sore throat, and more often complain of intense headaches and back pain. Another part of the patients have an active fever of up to 39 °C for several days and coughing. The typical symptom of loss of sense of smell is less common nowadays, so patients only find out that they have COVID-19 after a rapid antigen test," says the doctor.
According to A. Astafyeva, the number of COVID-19-positive cases in healthcare settings is highest among people aged 65 years and older, indicating that vulnerable groups are still at risk of developing a severe form of the disease, adding that the diagnosis can be made by a rapid antigen test, which can be performed at home or in a healthcare facility. Repeat testing at home is recommended, as a repeat test after a few days may be positive.
"The treatment is symptomatic - fluids, electrolytes, throat lozenges, active nasal washing with sea water, cough suppressants, and specific antiviral treatment, which is prescribed by the doctor for those patients who have the highest risk of developing a severe form of the disease, those who have risk factors such as chronic diseases, obesity, smoking, and a history of severe disease," Astafyeva said.
Who needs get vaccineted?
This 2024-2025 season, people can get the updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, which have been updated to reflect the circulating viral strains. Influenza vaccines Influvac Tetra and Comirnaty for COVID-19 vaccination have been purchased with public funds. One dose of the updated vaccine is being administered for this season. COVID-19 vaccination shall be given 6 months after the vaccination.
Autumn weather is conducive to the spread of upper respiratory tract infections, so the MoH and the NHSC point out that it is recommended that people at risk are most likely to be vaccinated with both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines:
- People aged 65 years and older;
- those with chronic diseases (including children);
- residents of social care and nursing homes (including children's homes);
- staff working in health care institutions;
- pregnant women (at any stage of pregnancy);
- from this autumn, children aged 2-7 years will also be vaccinated free of charge with influenza vaccines.
Where can I get vaccinated?
People can register through the Advance Patient Registration (APR) information system or by going directly to the vaccinating health facility, where they are registered by the staff of the health facility. If people at risk wish to be vaccinated together with the flu vaccine, they can do so at the health facility where they are registered.
It is important to note that it is up to the health facilities to order the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, and it is up to the health facilities to ensure that these vaccines are available, so it is recommended that you contact the desired facility to make sure that the vaccines are available prior to vaccination.
As of 12 September, the majority of municipalities have both influenza and COVID-19 vaccines available in at least one health facility, except for Birštonas, Joniškis, Kazlų Ruda, Lazdijai, Rietavas, Skuodas, Šilutė, Varėna and Zarasai.
As of 26 August, treatment facilities can order these vaccines based on their patients' interest and need for vaccination. Once the order is placed by the healthcare facilities, the vaccines are delivered the same week or early the following week.
List of healthcare facilities that have ordered the vaccines is available HERE.
As a reminder, you can be vaccinated against COVID-19 at any health facility, not necessarily where you are registered.
While the ordering of vaccines is underway and the logistics are being worked out, patients are advised to follow the above list and contact those facilities that have already ordered vaccines.
For both vaccines, it is recommended to go to the health facility where the person is registered. Influenza vaccines for persons at risk are reimbursed at public expense at the health facility where the person is registered. Influenza vaccines can be administered at any health care facility or pharmacy at your own expense.
It is common medical practice to administer more than one vaccine in a single visit - it is quick, convenient and recommended by specialists.
Don't forget prevention
As a reminder, measures to limit the spread of influenza, COVID-19 and other ARIs are regularly recommended to the general public and to personal and public health care institutions: Regular and correct hand washing and/or disinfection; proper respiratory hygiene (cover mouth/nose with a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, wash hands); wearing medical masks or respirators when caring for a sick person; isolation of sick people at home or in hospital; frequent ventilation and wet cleaning of living and working areas.
In the absence of a declared epidemic (e.g. influenza, COVID-19 and other ARIs during the peak period of an outbreak) and in the absence of an epidemic, NICUs) and social care facilities may, depending on their infrastructure and resources, apply stricter infection control requirements in terms of patient flow management, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), limiting the duration of patient visits or the number of visitors, and so on.
More information on vaccination can be found on KoronaStop.lt.