Seasonal flu has arrived earlier than usual this year. According to figures from the National Public Health Organisation (EODY (the National Public Health Organisation)) reported by ERT on Monday 9 November, 57 cases were recorded last week, 15 patients are being treated in Intensive Care Units and three people have died. Experts predict that the spread of the virus will intensify in the coming weeks and are urging those in priority groups to get vaccinated now.
Gikas Magiorkinis, Professor of Epidemiology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, explained to ERT that one of the strains of influenza A appears to have undergone a mutation that makes it more easily transmitted. This, as he clarified, does not mean a more severe illness; it means that the peak arrives earlier. At the same time, the coronavirus is also circulating at higher levels; experts estimate that it will subside by mid-December, whilst the flu will persist for longer.
Who is given priority for vaccination?
According to the Ministry of Health’s circular for the period 2026–2027, the vaccine is recommended as a priority for:
- everyone aged 60 and over,
- infants and children aged between 6 months and 5 years,
- children and adults with chronic conditions, such as asthma and COPD, heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, immunosuppression or who have had a transplant,
- pregnant women at any stage, women who have recently given birth and those who are breastfeeding,
- people who are severely obese,
- those living with or caring for infants under 6 months of age or high-risk individuals,
- healthcare workers and residents of care homes for the elderly.
For those aged 65 and over, the National Vaccination Committee recommends a booster vaccine, either a high-dose vaccine or one containing an adjuvant. If this is not available, vaccination should not be delayed: it should be carried out using whichever suitable vaccine is available. For children aged 2 to 17, the nasal vaccine (spray) is also available, except for those who are immunocompromised, asthma or recurrent wheezing in the last 12 months, or who are on long-term aspirin.
Where and how
For priority groups, the vaccination is free of charge and no medical prescription is required. The pharmacist administers the vaccine and records it in the National Register, so all you need to bring with you is your AMKA. Pharmacies are the public’s first choice: of the 1,455,000 vaccinations administered so far nationwide, 1,045,000 were carried out at a pharmacy. The same applies to Artemida and Spata pharmacies; it’s a good idea to give them a ring before you go, to make sure they have the vaccine you need, particularly the booster for the over-65s.
The recommended period is from mid-October to the end of November. It takes the body about two weeks to build up immunity, so anyone who gets vaccinated now will be protected before the festive season. Anyone who misses this window can still get vaccinated later, throughout the flu season.
The flu jab can be administered on the same day as the Covid-19 vaccine, in a different part of the body, or on any day before or after. Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection should wait until these have subsided before getting vaccinated.
Source: ERT, ‘Seasonal flu: 57 cases, 15 patients in intensive care and three deaths’, 9 November 2026, based on data from EODY; Ministry of Health, circular on the 2026–2027 flu vaccination programme; Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, press release 4036/2026.
