Russia will not be vaccinated with foreign influenza vaccines in autumn

At the beginning of September, a flu vaccination campaign traditionally started in Russia. Like last year, authorities have announced plans to vaccinate at least 60% of the population; in risk groups, Rospotrebnadzor expects to vaccinate at least 75% of Russians. Such indicators are due, among other things, to the fact that a higher circulation of influenza is predicted this epidemiological season, Anna Popova, HEAD of the department, noted earlier. In addition, the risk of contracting the flu is higher in those who have recovered from the CORONAVIRUS due to a weakened immune system, she reported.

For the 2020/21 season, the World HEALTH Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of quadrivalent vaccines containing four different influenza strains for vaccination in the Northern Hemisphere. The WHO also calls for priority vaccination of healthcare workers, including those who provide long-term care for patients, as well as older people, due to a higher risk of severe illness.

Influenza vaccination with the Russian vaccine can be obtained free of charge at state medical institutions. 2021 will be the fourth year in a row when it will be problematic in Russia to get a flu shot with a foreign vaccine. However, if in previous years foreign vaccinations were supplied towards the end of the campaign, this time they are not expected on the Russian market at all.