Flu vaccination for children with nasal spray starts on Monday, 5 October, the health ministry says. The vaccines are already in Bulgaria and are now being sent out to hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.

Bulgaria has received 75,000 doses of the nasal flu vaccine. Of these, 47,504 doses are set aside for the National Immunisation Programme against seasonal flu in children for 2026–2030, and the rest will go to pharmacies.

Flu shots given by injection are running late. The first batches are due to arrive by the end of October and will go to providers under the national programmes. The delay also affects doses meant for sale in pharmacies.

On 29 September 2026, manufacturers told the health ministry about the coming delay. They blame changes to the make-up of Northern Hemisphere flu vaccines for the 2026/2027 season, which pushed production back. One reason was a late decision on which type B flu strain to use, and demand for flu vaccines has also risen worldwide. The health ministry says other EU countries, as well as North America and Asia, are seeing similar delays.

This season's flu vaccines contain 3 new strains, in line with World Health Organization recommendations.

The campaign with the updated COVID-19 vaccines also starts on 5 October. Bulgaria has received 14,400 doses of the updated vaccine targeting the XFG variant, including doses for children from 6 months old.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free. People at high risk of severe illness get priority, but anyone who wants one can get it, based on which vaccine is approved for their age group.

Vaccinations will be given at regional health inspectorate offices and at hospitals and clinics; exact locations will be posted on the websites of the regional health inspectorates.

The health ministry will keep giving updates on vaccine deliveries and on where people can get vaccinated.