Flu vaccine costs up to 100 lei, while treatment can reach 150,000. Why is immunization important?
A dose of the flu vaccine costs up to 100 lei, while treating a patient admitted to intensive care for flu complications can cost up to 150,000 lei, according to the National Public Health Agency (ANSP). In the context of the immunization campaign currently underway in the Republic of Moldova, experts emphasize that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent severe forms of the flu; they urge the public—especially vulnerable individuals at an increased risk of complications—to get vaccinated.
"We have encountered cases where such patients must be kept in intensive care for two to three weeks; the costs are enormous—exceeding 100,000–150,000 lei per person—whereas a single dose of the flu vaccine costs up to 100 lei," stated Nicolae Furtună, a department head at the National Public Health Agency (ANSP), during the program "Dimineata cu Radio Moldova."
Free flu vaccination is recommended, in particular, for individuals belonging to groups at high risk of complications.
These groups include children and adults with chronic medical conditions, the elderly—especially those over 60–70 years of age—as well as healthcare workers.
The specialist explained that, for children and adults with chronic illnesses, the flu can worsen pre-existing conditions, while the elderly are more vulnerable because of a weakened immune system.
Medical personnel are also among the priority groups for vaccination, as they frequently come into contact with patients and face a higher risk of infection.
"First, there are children with chronic illnesses. The second major group consists of adults with chronic conditions—largely the same types of illnesses—but in the case of adults aged 60 or 70 and older, their immune systems are compromised; if they are not protected through vaccination, the outcome can be fatal," explained Nicolae Furtună on Radio Moldova. Flu vaccination is carried out through primary healthcare institutions, including health centers, family physician offices, and private medical facilities participating in the immunization campaign.
These facilities receive the vaccines from the ANSP and administer them to individuals in the areas they serve.
Another important aspect is the timing of vaccination. The body requires a certain period to develop an immune response following the administration of the vaccine; for this reason, experts recommend that immunization not be delayed.
Furthermore, the flu vaccine is updated annually because flu viruses undergo genetic changes from one season to the next. Consequently, a vaccine administered in one season does not necessarily provide the same level of protection for the following season.
"It is not a stable virus, and there is no guarantee that the virus circulating in the current season will remain exactly the same in the next. It will undergo changes, and as a result, the vaccine used this season may no longer be useful or effective in the coming season," said the representative of the National Public Health Agency (ANSP).
We remind you that for the 2026–2027 influenza season, the Republic of Moldova procured 240,000 doses of the flu vaccine, which were received in two shipments on October 8 and October 22.
According to the National Public Health Agency, more than 77,000 doses had been administered by the end of October.
The immunization campaign is being carried out through medical institutions, with priority given to individuals with chronic illnesses, the elderly, pregnant women, and healthcare personnel.
