Latvia begins flu monitoring as vaccine deliveries lag

Latvia has begun monitoring influenza and other acute respiratory infections for the 2026–2027 season, but vaccine deliveries are arriving later than usual, LSM reports, citing the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).

So far, Latvia has received only Fluenz, an intranasal vaccine for children aged 2 to 17 in certain health risk groups. Deliveries of Efluelda to family doctors’ practices are due to start this week. That vaccine is intended for people aged 60 and over and those with moderate or severe immunosuppression.

Vaxigrip, intended for other groups eligible for state-funded vaccination, including adults and children with chronic illnesses, is expected to arrive by November 13. Three vaccines will be used in the state-funded programme this season.

The first laboratory-confirmed flu cases of the season were recorded before monitoring began and were linked to travel outside Latvia. In the 40th week of 2026, when monitoring started, three patients were clinically diagnosed with flu, a rate of 3.9 cases per 100,000 people. That was below the rate of 9.9 cases per 100,000 recorded in the same period last season.

A total of 918 patients visited family doctors with symptoms of other acute respiratory infections, equivalent to an average of 1,179.3 cases per 100,000 people. The spread of these infections was also slightly lower than at the same point last season.

Flu was not detected in any of 166 samples tested in the past week. Respiratory syncytial virus was found in one sample, while 1.2% of samples tested positive for Covid-19, roughly unchanged from the previous week. Unlike in previous years, Latvia did not see a rise in Covid-19 cases in late summer and early autumn.

The World Health Organization reported that flu activity remained stable and low elsewhere in Europe. SARS-CoV-2 activity continued to increase in primary care and hospitals, with most hospitalized patients aged 65 or older.