Seasonal flu vaccination starts in Georgia on October 21

Start of vaccination and conditions

From October 21, the process of seasonal flu vaccination begins across Georgia. According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination is free for all citizens and is fully funded by the state. Vaccination can be performed from 6 months of age at relevant medical institutions and polyclinics. Imedi+7

Vaccine characteristics

Within the framework of the state immunization program, the country has purchased 200,000 doses of a French-made, trivalent vaccine (SANOFI WINTHROP INDUSTRIE's Vaxigrip). According to the Minister of Health, Mikheil Sarjveladze, this vaccine is among the preparations recommended by the WHO and is adapted to the strains expected to circulate during the flu season. Imedi+7

Head of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, Ivane Chkhaidze, explains that this year's trivalent vaccine does not reduce the effectiveness of protection, because the variant of the B-type virus that was previously included in the vaccine has not been circulating for the last few years. Radio Tavisupleba

Risk groups and recommendations

Vaccination is especially important for high-risk groups, including: persons with chronic diseases, oncology patients, pregnant women, citizens aged 60 and older, medical personnel, as well as beneficiaries and employees of shelters and boarding houses. According to Radio Liberty, risk groups also include children under 2 years of age, persons with diabetes, and patients on dialysis. Imedi+7

The exact list of vaccination service providers has not yet been published on the National Center for Disease Control portal, but according to the agency, the information will be updated in the coming days. Radio Tavisupleba