Bauska County family doctors short of flu vaccines, with supplies for younger patients promised in November
Demand for flu vaccines at family doctors' practices in Latvia exceeds supply, and Bauska County is no exception. Deliveries are delayed because vaccine production in Europe ran late.
Family doctors' practices across Latvia are short of influenza vaccines, and the situation in Bauska County is the same, local doctors say. Deliveries this season are delayed because production of flu vaccines in Europe has been held up. As a result, some residents, including children and working-age adults, will only be able to get vaccinated in the coming months.
The national picture
Alise Nicmane-Aišpure, head of the Latvian Association of Family Doctors, told the news agency LETA that practices have received less than 10% of the vaccines ordered for seniors. Vaccines for children aged six months to two years and for adults under 60 are not yet available. Those deliveries are expected in October and November.
The Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) explained that practices currently cannot obtain either paid or state-funded vaccines, so supplies are arriving gradually and later than usual. For the 2026/2027 flu season the state plans to buy 148,336 doses, which is 9,216 doses, or 6.6%, more than in the previous season.
Bauska County
Family doctor Sandra Lapsa-Ārenta, who sees patients in Bauska, Svitene and Bērstele, said vaccines arrive in batches. Last week the practice received 14 doses for residents aged 60 and over, while more than 30 people in that group are waiting in line. Younger patients are promised vaccines in November, and children in mid-November. By her knowledge, they cannot be bought at pharmacies either. There are no flu cases at her practice so far.
Vizma Ūdrēna, assistant to Īslīce parish family doctor Ineta Joča, said the practice received ten state-funded vaccines for people aged 60 and over, and they have already been used. Vaccines for children are expected no earlier than mid-November. The practice ordered the same amount as last year: for 35 people aged 60 and over, and about 55 children and chronic patients under 60. As of Tuesday, no flu cases had been recorded.
