Several municipalities have run out of flu vaccines at GPs. Patients now have to pay more at pharmacies

Several municipalities and GPs have run out of this year’s flu vaccine. This means that people in risk groups have to pay much more for the vaccine at pharmacies.

This year’s flu vaccine was supposed to cost NOK 50 (or nothing for those who had reached Norway’s payment threshold).

The reason for the extra-low price is that the authorities wanted as many people as possible to take the vaccine to reduce the pressure on the health service during the corona outbreak.

However, the National Institute of Public Health FHINIPH) has only managed to obtain 1.2 million doses, which corresponds to around two thirds of the demand. 

Thus, people in risk groups were given priority. 

Pharmacy vaccine price

The FHI confirmed to newspaper VG that some municipalities and GPs have run out of flu vaccines.

That means that patients in risk groups will be referred to pharmacies, which have some vaccines left. 

This year’s vaccine costs close to NOK 400 in pharmacies.

“It is unfortunate that patients have to be referred to the pharmacy and that they thus have to pay somewhat more for the vaccine,” Kjersti Rydland, a senior adviser in the department for infection control and vaccine at FHI, said.

© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today