Without changing the existing flu vaccine provision principles, a deficit will appear every year, said the head of Family Doctors Association of Latvia Alise Nicmane-Aišpure in an interview to TV3 programme 900 seconds.
She explained the formula used to calculate the number of flu vaccines to be provided to residents is based of a situation that was three years ago, when there was a shortage of vaccines after the first procurement procedure. This topic was discussed in depth with the Disease Prevention and Control Centre.
She explained that in her practice, she asked for a specific number of vaccine doses. However, according to calculations from the Disease Prevention and Control Centre, she is eligible to 130% of the volume of vaccines that were used last year. In turn, the amount of vaccines to be allocated last year was calculated against 2022, when the vaccines rain out immediately after the first procurement process.
“This is why this shortage will remain for years,” she explained.
Nicmane-Aišpure explained that the shortage of vaccines mainly impacts the groups of residents whose vaccination is funded by the state. The situation is especially bad for residents older than 60, who often need bigger doses.
She mentioned there are doctors who are forced to say there are no more state-funded vaccines to offer. In such a situation, patients have to turn to vaccination centres or pay for vaccines.
The head of the association explained the situation is even more complicated for first-year colleagues because they had not time to make predictions about the necessary amount of vaccines. For example, there is a general practitioner that has 1 600 patients, and 1 500 of them are children, but the number of provided vaccines is only three.
She called for further discussions on the principles of granting flu vaccines, finding a more logical solution.