Perhaps the frosts will slightly slow down the spread, but in recent days, the flu epidemic has continued in Latvia. It has spread widely across the country and among all population groups, reports TV3 News. At the same time, in this current epidemic season, many places in Latvia are experiencing a shortage of both state-funded and paid flu vaccines. Why is this situation repeating itself for several years?
In recent years, the availability of flu vaccines in Latvia has increasingly become a problem. This year, the situation is repeating itself – almost all state-funded flu vaccines have already been used, with about 95% of the available doses expended.
"Last week, an additional 6000 doses arrived. At the end of last week, the first deliveries were already made in Riga and the suburbs of Riga. Accordingly, this week there are two working days, and next week – also two. Deliveries are ongoing, all these 6000 doses have already been ordered, and delivery is ensured for those who placed an order," explained Ilze Udre, a representative of the Disease Prevention and Control Center (DPCC).
The Latvian Association of Family Doctors in Rural Areas notes that for several years, family doctors have pointed out the insufficient volume of state-funded flu vaccines, which does not allow for adequate vaccination of at-risk groups. Currently, the additional 6000 doses delivered at the state's expense have already been distributed, and not all practices that submitted requests will be able to receive them.
"We also conducted a survey among family doctors in Latvia, specifically among members of the Latvian Association of Rural Family Doctors, and more than half – 53% – noted that they are indeed lacking vaccines, while the number of those wishing for them is greater. Approximately the same number of doctors indicated that they received fewer vaccines than they planned or stated in their application," said board member Ainis Dzalbs.
Although in recent years the demand for flu vaccines has been increasing in both the public and private sectors, the volumes of purchases have not increased. There are several reasons for this – in previous years, some vaccines remained unused, leading to losses; additionally, funding for state vaccines is limited each year.
"We cannot directly influence the commercial vaccine market – it is a business activity associated with quite a high risk. It should be understood that flu vaccination lasts only a few weeks, vaccine delivery must be ensured within strictly defined deadlines, and their shelf life is only a few months, because in the next flu season, it is already a completely different product," Dzalbs explained.
The Association of Rural Family Doctors points out that many only begin to inquire about vaccination when an epidemic starts; however, flu vaccination begins as early as October, with the optimal time being late October and early November. Therefore, by the beginning of the epidemic, paid flu vaccines are usually already unavailable – they are consumed in about a month and a half.
Meanwhile, the DPCC informs that state-funded flu vaccines are still available in certain locations, and this information is posted on the center's website.
"It cannot be said that there is no state vaccination against flu in Latvia, that it is unavailable. There is a table where one can see in which nearby region there is a vaccine, and accordingly call and go for vaccination," Udre said.
Currently, influenza type A is predominant in Latvia, and at the outpatient level, family doctors registered 800 cases of illness per 100,000 residents last week – this already exceeds the peak of last year's epidemic.
