Albania has secured 280,000 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine, which will be offered free of charge to all at-risk groups. The director of the Institute of Public Health (ISHP), Eugena Tomini, told Euronews Albania that the doses have been distributed to all polyclinics in the country, and as of this Monday, vaccinations have begun for at-risk groups.

This year, the vaccines were secured earlier than usual, which is expected to increase their effectiveness among the population receiving them. For the first time, citizens are being given the opportunity to get the vaccine free of charge at any health center, even if they are not registered there.

Health experts are urging at-risk groups to get vaccinated as soon as possible, noting that while the flu virus has not yet been isolated in Albania, cases of viral infections continue to rise steadily. They emphasize that the vaccine can prevent severe forms of the illness and reduce flu-related deaths.