In view of it flu vaccination which starts in October have reached the shelves of its pharmacies Prefecture of Thessaloniki seasonal flu vaccines.

According to data from the Pharmaceutical Association of Thessaloniki (ΣΤΥ), for this year’s period 2024-2025, 200,000 anti-influenza vaccines have been ordered by the Thessaloniki Pharmacists’ Cooperative and also a large number from the prefecture’s private pharmacies. To date, 70% of the flu vaccines have been received, while the remaining 30% will be received by the end of September at the latest.

In addition, it is expected that the prescribed procedures will be completed so that pharmacies can start administering vaccinations against COVID-19, after the passing of Law N.5102/24 (Article 47). “The main issue with this particular class of vaccines is that one dose corresponds to 6 citizens, which means that when the bottle is opened, 6 people have to be vaccinated so that not a single dose is lost. Therefore, the possibility is being considered for the citizen who wants to be vaccinated for COVID-19 to inform his pharmacist and when the necessary number of people is completed, to schedule their vaccination at the pharmacy”, explains the president of the Pharmaceutical Association of Thessaloniki, Dionysios Eugenidis.

At the same time, it states that it has not yet been determined when the vaccines for COVID-19 will begin to be administered by pharmacies, while the law that was passed states that the cost for citizens will be 5 euros plus VAT for the health service provided by the pharmacists.

“It is very important that with the passing of Law N.5102/24, certified pharmacists can now from this year carry out all adult vaccinations. Exceptions are immunosuppressed people and pregnant women for all vaccines, except for the flu vaccine,” emphasizes Mr. Eugenides.

Regarding the flu vaccination, the president of the FSTH points out that the best period for its action is from the beginning of October to the end of November, without ruling out that it can be administered later. According to experts, the seasonal flu season is from October to April, with a possible peak between January and March.

“Influenza vaccines are provided free of charge by the insurance funds and are carried out at the pharmacy without any charge to the person being vaccinated. It takes about two weeks for them to act and create antibodies in the human body”, says Mr. Eugenidis and adds that “the Ministry of Health is expected to activate this year again the special platform for the administration of conventional flu vaccines by pharmacies without a medical prescription”.

It should be noted that the Pharmaceutical Association of Thessaloniki is planning a campaign to inform citizens about influenza vaccination through radio and social media.