Flu vaccine deliveries delayed: Jelgava doctors and patients left waiting

Flu vaccine deliveries in Latvia are running late this autumn, leaving family doctors unable to offer many patients a specific vaccination date. The situation is especially visible in Jelgava: the Jelgava Clinic has so far received just 150 doses, whereas last year it used more than 550. The matter was reported in a Zemgale regional television segment shown by Latvian Television (LTV).

Practices waiting for doses

The Jelgava Clinic and its branch host 14 family doctor practices, with slightly more than 21,000 registered patients in total. Vaccination has already begun for special patient groups, but the quantity received is insufficient. Patients regularly ask about vaccination options, yet many cannot yet be given an appointment.

Doctors say the delay complicates daily work. In their view such a situation has not occurred before, and once the vaccines arrive the workload will double.

Jelgava City Hospital is also waiting. Vaccines have been ordered for staff, including employees involved in patient care, and vaccination is planned once they are delivered.

Limited options for children

The delay also affects families who want to vaccinate their children. The nasal vaccine currently available is intended for certain risk groups, while others must wait. One mother said she had asked about vaccination at the beginning of October, but by mid-month had still received no clear answer.

Causes and delivery schedule

The National Health Service (NVD) says the problem has affected other European countries too. All three vaccine components have changed for this season, which complicated production, and late deliveries of raw materials to manufacturers added a further obstacle.

For this flu season the state plans to buy more than 148,000 vaccine doses. Vaccines for seniors and nasal vaccines for children have already been received, while a further 70,900 standard doses are promised for delivery in Latvia by 13 November.