The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public about the Vaccination plan against the disease Covid-19 and the flu.
The vaccines that will be available for vaccination against seasonal flu are Influvac sab-unit Tetra and Efluelda. Specifically the Efluelda vaccine, which will only be given to people over 60 years old (subject to availability) and the Influvac sab-unit Tetra vaccine which is given to people > 6 months old. It is pointed out that through the pharmacovigilance systems operating internationally, no serious systemic side effects of the influenza vaccine, which is considered safe and effective, have been recorded.
The Ministry of Health provides free vaccines against the seasonal flu and the SARS-CoV2 virus, and all beneficiaries of the NHS over 6 months are eligible for vaccination. However, priority will be given to vulnerable and high-risk groups. Vaccination with the anti-influenza vaccine will be handled by the Personal Doctor after arranging a relevant appointment. Vaccination with the vaccine for the disease Covid-19 will be handled by the Adult Immunization Centers (for 12 years and older) and Maternity Protection and Child Welfare Centers (from 6 months to 11 years) of the Ministry of Health with free origin (walk-in), according to their operating schedule. In the event that the beneficiary wishes to be vaccinated with both vaccines at the same time, he can be served through the above-mentioned Vaccination Centers with free origin (walk-in). (Table1 and Table2).
It is recalled that for the administration of vaccines:
It is necessary to present an identification document (ID, passport, ARC).
Vaccination against COVID-19 it can be done 4 months after the last vaccination.
It is necessary to observe a minimum interval of 3 months for vaccination against it COVID-19, after the positive disease test COVID-19.
In severely immunosuppressed people, it will be possible to receive additional doses 4-6 months after the most recent dose of the vaccine against the disease COVID-19, following a written recommendation from their doctor.
SEASONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION – Vulnerable and high-risk groups for 2024-2025.
The following groups are at higher risk for serious illness and complications:
1. Adults aged 60 and over.
2. Children > 6 months – 17 years and other adults, presenting one or more of the following aggravating factors or chronic diseases:
Asthma or other chronic lung diseases.
Heart disease with severe hemodynamic disturbances.
Immunosuppression (hereditary or acquired due to disease or immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory therapy).
Organ transplantation.
Sickle cell disease (and other serious hemoglobinopathies).
Diabetes mellitus or other chronic metabolic disease.
Pathogenic Obesity (metabolic syndrome) with a Body Mass Index (BMI)>40 kg/m2.
Chronic kidney disease and liver disease.
Neuromuscular or Neurological diseases.
3. Pregnant women regardless of gestational age, lactating, lactating.
4. Children and adults taking long-term aspirin (eg, Kawasaki disease, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), for the possible risk of developing Reye's syndrome after influenza).
For preventive and Public Health reasons, the following must be vaccinated:
All individuals at higher risk for severe disease and complications, as described above.
People who are in close contact with children <6 months of age or care for people with underlying disease, who are at increased risk of complications from influenza.
Children > 6 months – 17 years.
Closed populations (staff and internal students of schools, military and police academies, inmates and staff of institutions, recruits in the armed forces, etc.). Recruits at the enlistment centers and especially those enlisting during the winter months.
Workers in health care facilities (medical and nursing staff and other workers).
Professionals such as veterinarians, poultry farmers, pig farmers, butchers and general people who come into systematic contact with poultry.
It is noted that based on the flow of vaccine quantities received and the medical history of each patient, prioritization will be carried out by the Medical Staff.
VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19 – Vulnerable and high-risk groups for the period 2024-25.
The following groups are at higher risk for serious illness and complications:
over 60 years.
regardless of age who live or work in retirement homes and closed structures.
workers in healthcare facilities.
with Diabetes Mellitus.
with severe Obesity: BMI ≥40 or ≥35 with metabolic syndrome,
with severe chronic heart and vascular disease.
with chronic severe kidney disease.
with severe chronic liver disease.
with severe chronic neurological disease.
with hemoglobinopathies.
in pregnant women.
in immunodeficient and immunosuppressed patients regardless of age such as:
with a history of solid organ transplantation receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
with a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
with hereditary immunodeficiency.
with HIV Infection / AIDS.
on immunosuppressive therapy including biological agents.
with renal failure undergoing hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.
regarding taking cortisone refers to people who received or are receiving a total dose of >10 mg prednisone/day (=8 mg methylprednisolone) for one (1) month in the last six months.
in active treatment for solid tumors and hematological malignancies.
