Premonition flu vaccine prescription expiration dateHealth Minister Thanos Pleuris (ss yesterday on ANT1) comes at a time when flu has already “found its way” into society, and doctors are constantly turning to citizens for vaccination.

However, the latter, tired of funeral doses for him coronavirus but even misled by the good weather, he, as experts note, does not seem to understand the seriousness of the matter.

Speaking with “K” John Pavlopoulou, EKPA Professor of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases and member of the National Committee on Immunization, considers the decision of the ministry very correct, since the appointment through a personal doctor may delay the decision on vaccination and especially for the elderly, who but they are also those who need it the most. “There have never been so many cases at such a time in Greece before,” she says characteristically.

It is noted that this year our country received more than 4 million vaccines. As noted and in another report by K” today: “Until yesterday, 1,890,000 flu shotswhen, on average, 3,000,000-3,500,000 vaccinations are made in the two months of October-November.

Free and OTC Vaccination Schemes for Vulnerable Groups

According to what he reports to “K”, the President of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, Apostolos ValtasThe intention of the Ministry of Health, based on preliminary discussions held with the PFS, is that those who belong to vulnerable groups (those over 60, etc.) be able to get vaccinated in pharmacies without a prescription and without paying for the vaccine.

“That is, the system will immediately determine that a citizen belongs to a certain group,” explains Mr. Valtas and adds: “This is a very basic motivation for this citizen to choose vaccination near their home without delay.”

A vaccine can be made without a prescription and those who do not belong to special groupsbut paying the price of the drug to the pharmacist. It should be noted that this year 4 different flu vaccines are available in pharmacies, which cost between 10 and 20 euros.. In any case, the vaccine will be given in pharmacies, and citizens will not be able to take it home.

It should be noted that, until now, those who do not belong to vulnerable groups could also get a flu shot at a pharmacy, but, as Mr. Valtas explains, “unofficially”. “Vaccination was usually done with a simple medical certificate,” he says, and notes that these vaccinations, however, were not registered anywhere.

“Now anyone who receives a vaccine from a pharmacy will already be registered in the system, and thus two things will happen – we will have an idea of ​​​​how vaccines are available, but there will also be a vaccination registry for every citizen,” the president notes. PFS.

As he speaks in “K” and about Dionysius Eugenides, President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Thessaloniki: “Despite the good weather, this year is difficult. Seasonal viruses circulate a lot – we see this in the medicines and drugs we give. Unfortunately, influenza vaccination is not being carried out satisfactorily. In Thessaloniki, about 50% of persons belonging to vulnerable groups have been vaccinated. Vaccines in pharmacies without a prescription is something that can mobilize people.”

Doctors’ objections to vaccination in pharmacies

In any case, Mr. Pleuris’ application was not received and was immediately rejected by the doctors. Panhellenic Medical Association (PIS) emphasized that “the prescription is not an independent act, but part of the clinical examination”, and stressed that the decline in the interest of citizens is not related to the prescription.

In turn, the Medical Association of Athens (ISA) noted among other things that: “Any medical operation performed by non-physicians and in fact in inappropriate places where products are sold is a fake of the medical profession and poses serious risks to the health of the patient. Medicines cannot be given without a prescription.

Summarizing the objections of doctors, Part. Anna Mastoraku, the vice-president of the Panhellenic Medical Association told K that doctors are concerned about vaccinations in pharmacies because: “Vaccines have indications and contraindications. Also, the history of each citizen is individual and has parameters that must be taken into account and weighed, which only doctors can. They also require knowledge of the “time window” for vaccinating vulnerable individuals, knowledge that pharmacists also lack.”

Panhellenic Association of Pharmacists he immediately responded with his own statement in which he stated: “Oh ISA ignores that according to article 160 par 1 of Law 4600/2019 a licensed pharmacist can legally vaccinate citizens against influenza, while with the number C5a/GPok.49734/07/02/2019 the decision of the Minister of Health defines the terms, conditions and process certification of pharmacists for influenza vaccination.

Also, ISA deliberately ignores the fact that throughout Europe, flu vaccinations are carried out in pharmacies. And, finally, ISA deliberately ignores the fact that for a number of years millions of citizens have been vaccinated annually in our country’s pharmacies against seasonal influenza.