Annual flu vaccination is required, Minister of Health
Flu vaccination is necessary every year because viral strains change continuously, and the vaccine is reformulated annually to target the latest circulating variants. After administration, the body develops protective immunity that lasts nearly a year.
"After the injection, the body needs about a month to develop the necessary antibodies. These provide protection for eight to nine months. However, since viral strains change from year to year, vaccination must be repeated each season," explained Minister of Health Alexandru Gașnaș in an interview with Radio Moldova.
The flu vaccination campaign is currently in full swing in the Republic of Moldova. Elderly people, those with chronic illnesses, and employees who frequently interact with the public can contact their family doctor to get vaccinated. According to the Minister, immunization is also available to people who do not belong to high-risk groups.
"Anyone who wishes to get vaccinated—even if they are not part of a high-risk group—can contact their family doctor to be immunized against the flu," said Alexandru Gașnaș.
The Republic of Moldova has 240,000 doses of the flu vaccine available—40,000 more than in previous years—in response to an increased need for immunization.
According to the Minister, the doses were distributed based on several criteria. "There is a calculation formula. The 240,000 doses were not simply distributed at random. They were allocated based on several criteria, including experience from previous years, the number of healthcare system employees, the size of the population served in specific territories, and other factors. A registry monitors quantities, and data is reported daily. The National Agency for Public Health keeps track of these," the Minister stated in an interview with journalist Svetlana Bogatu from the public radio station.
The primary beneficiaries are the elderly, patients with chronic illnesses, and individuals with immune system disorders.
At the same time, authorities encourage anyone who wants to protect themselves from the flu to get vaccinated; access to the vaccine is not limited solely to vulnerable groups.
"I can tell you from my own experience—including my experience as a doctor—that I have been getting vaccinated every season for over 20 years. I can say with certainty that vaccines save lives. Despite the prevalence of misinformation, science has proven this, and studies over the last 50 years show vaccines' effectiveness in combating viruses. It is a matter of immunity: the body produces antibodies, which then fight against the viral infection," Minister Gasnaș said.
The flu vaccine has been available in the country’s public medical and healthcare institutions for three weeks. Each institution has a vaccination plan that focuses primarily on frontline personnel, vulnerable patients, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare system employees.
According to the Minister of Health, the vaccine contains antigens for several strains, and remaining stocks will be re-evaluated at the end of November.
The Republic of Moldova used all 240,000 doses of Influvac Tetra received for the 2025–2026 national flu vaccination campaign.
People over 65, the group most vulnerable to flu-related complications, accounted for more than 45% of those vaccinated.
The campaign also reached 44,600 adults aged 30–49, 9,700 young adults aged 18–29, 3,100 adolescents and 1,500 children under nine.
Children vaccinated against flu for the first time received the full two-dose regimen, in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
More than 19,600 healthcare workers, including medical students and residents, were also vaccinated, along with personnel from public order and national security agencies.
