Bulgaria will provide free nasal flu vaccine Fluenz to children aged six months to seven years in the upcoming season, with measures in place to review and control export restrictions amid rising supply concerns across Europe.
Bulgaria’s nasal flu vaccine Fluenz will be offered free to children under the national programme for the 2026-27 season, while the health ministry says it will keep supplies under review and may curb exports if a genuine shortage emerges. The move follows a request from the Association of Patients Active in Healthcare, which had pressed officials to add Fluenz to a list of medicines that could face temporary export restrictions if stocks run low.
According to the ministry’s response, the vaccine is now part of the programme, but export limits cannot be imposed in advance on the basis of a possible future shortage alone. Officials said any such step would require an analysis of stock levels, deliveries, planned quantities, pharmacy data, National Health Insurance Fund information and the state supply-monitoring system, with a decision taken only if there were real or immediate risk of shortage.
The programme is due to begin on 1 October 2026 and run until 31 March 2027. It will cover children aged six months to seven years regardless of other health conditions, while free vaccination for those aged seven to 17 will be limited to children and teenagers with chronic illnesses. In addition to Fluenz, the health fund says two injectable paediatric flu vaccines, Vaxigrip and Influvac, have also been contracted for the coming season.
Patient advocates have welcomed the inclusion of the nasal spray, but warned that seasonal vaccines are different from medicines that can be supplied later in the year. Aneta Draganova, who chairs the association, told Mediapool that once the flu season ends, missing doses cannot simply be made up months later. Similar supply concerns have also been reported elsewhere in Europe: Norway’s public health institute recently said some pre-ordered seasonal flu vaccines, including Fluenz, would arrive later than planned because of production problems at manufacturers.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
