The Ministry of Health (MoH) plans to provide free flu vaccines for children. The goal is to improve children's health and reduce flu incidence, especially in the context of increasing hospitalizations. The program foresees:
- Free vaccines for children from 6 months to 7 years old inclusive and children with chronic diseases up to 17 years old.
- Administration at the discretion of general practitioners.
- Two types of vaccines: injectable and nasal (spray).
- Injectable vaccines for children up to 2 years old and children with chronic diseases.
- Vaccination with nasal or injectable vaccine for children from 2 to 7 years old, the assessment of the type is up to the doctor.
The project is within the framework of the National Program for Vaccination against Seasonal Flu for the period 2026-2030 and has been published for public discussion.
The MoH emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective way to protect against the flu and its complications. Limited accessibility and financial burden on parents were the main obstacles so far.
The total estimated financial resource for the program is over 16 million euros.
Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev, Chief State Health Inspector, proposed at the end of 2025 that the free flu vaccination program for the elderly be extended to children. 100,000 vaccines are already being provided for people over 65 years old.