This fall you can get a flu shot at the pharmacy, without a prescription – NRK Norway – Summary of news from different parts of the country

While we wait for a vaccine against covid-19, this year it is very important to get vaccinated against the flu.

– If we have a strong flu epidemic in addition to the corona, it will be demanding to deal with the health service, Norwegian employers and ordinary people. Says Sveinung Stensland H).

Last year, a majority in the Storting’s health committee asked the ministry to study the possibility of a vaccine in pharmacies without a prescription. Now the answer comes in the form of regulatory change.

– This makes it easier for people to get the flu shot and operate on it, Stensland says.

– The change mainly applies to those who previously received a prescription from a doctor and then sent it to the pharmacy, he says.

The medical association is essential

The Ministry of Health sent a consultation note on the change this summer, to obtain comments from various professional circles. Many were positive, but that was not the response from the Norwegian Medical Association. Doctors note that the National Institute of Public Health gives recommendations on which risk groups should be vaccinated and criticize the fact that extensive vaccination of people is now being planned. outside these risk groups.

– It is absolutely true that it is good that many people get vaccinated. But the most important thing is that patients who need it most are vaccinated, says the leader of the Norwegian Association of General Medicine, Marte Kvittum Tangen.

– We have no objective to vaccinate the entire population in general. Patients in risk groups should come first. My concern is that it will be the healthy and those who can pay the most who get vaccinated in pharmacies, she adds.

The goal of the authorities is that 75% of those in risk groups are vaccinated. In the previous flu season, 40 percent were vaccinated.

NIPH: It is very important to get vaccinated this year

Concerned about possible vaccine shortages

Tangen is also concerned that those who need it most will be affected if there is a vaccine shortage. According to VG, a total of 1.4 million doses of vaccine were ordered from Norway, including 200,000 from pharmacies. There are 1.6 million people in the risk group. Flu vaccines will generally be available in October.

– It may be that now we are in a situation of scarcity, and we must prioritize. Pharmacies won’t have an overview of which patients should take priority, he says.

Stensland believes this concern is unfounded.

– The authorities ensure that risk groups in the vaccination programs we have receive the vaccine they need. The vaccination of pharmacies is also, they buy vaccines regardless of the purchasing scheme of the authorities. And if they run out, it won’t be at the expense of those who need to get vaccinated, he says.