Romania and flu vaccination
Hundreds of thousands of doses of flu vaccine have reached warehouses and pharmacies, following a period during which stocks had been largely depleted.
Sorin Iordan, 28.10.2026, 13:50
The respiratory infection season is in full swing in Romania. According to the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), nearly 82,000 cases of clinical influenza, acute upper respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia were reported during the week of October 12–18, a 0.8% decrease from the previous week and nearly 6% below the figures for the same period last year. The INSP notes that one influenza-related death has been confirmed during the current flu season, which began in October, and over 400,000 people have been vaccinated.
Recently, however, the flu vaccine has been unavailable in pharmacies, due to both very high demand and the fact that the World Health Organization determined the composition of the vaccine for this flu season later than usual. The situation has been addressed with the arrival of approximately 370,000 doses of the flu vaccine into distribution warehouses, as announced by the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Romania. These will be supplemented by another 500,000 doses, expected to arrive in mid-November, to support the ongoing flu vaccination campaign. Last week, the Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete stated that there was a delay in vaccine production across Europe this year, and that Romania was not the only country affected by the shortage.
Four influenza vaccines are authorized in Romania: two for adults and two for children, adolescents, and the elderly. According to the National Agency for Medicines, ‘Fluenz’, intended for children and adolescents, and ‘Efluelda’, intended for individuals over 60, have been available in sufficient quantities in pharmacies and through distributors. Issues arose regarding the injectable vaccines for adults, ‘Vaxigrip’ and ‘Influvac’; their stocks had been largely depleted, but they have been replenished. Influenza vaccination is one of the most important measures for preventing the flu and its associated complications, particularly among vulnerable individuals.
Doctors recommend vaccination, especially for those over 65, children, individuals with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and healthcare personnel. 2026 marks the fourth consecutive year that the new influenza vaccination procedure has been in effect. Under this system, vaccine doses are no longer collected from family physicians’ offices; instead, they are obtained from pharmacies, either via a prescription, for those eligible for subsidized vaccines, or without a prescription, at the patient’s own expense. For those not eligible for a subsidized vaccine, a single dose costs approximately 80 lei (about 15 euros). Some pharmacies offer on-site administration of the vaccine. In locations where this service is not available, patients must take the vaccine to their family physician’s office. (LS)
