The last flu pandemic occurred in 2009, and the European Commission is organizing early acquisition of a vaccine in preparation of the next pandemic, inviting all interested countries to join in. To participate in the purchase, Lithuania would have to pay a preparation fee, which, according to informal preliminary data, may range between 0.5 and 1 euros for every ordered dose of the ordered pandemic flu vaccine.
“As we plan vaccination supplies for 30 percent of the population, the annual preparation fee would range from 421,900 euros to 843,800 euros,” reads a report submitted for the government’s meeting.
The Health Ministry has asked for a green light for Lithuania’s participation in the purchase, while the Finance Ministry has called for a cost and benefit analysis, noting that the pandemic preparation fee should be paid from the Health Ministry’s budget.
Production of the pandemic flu vaccine would be started after a new subtype of the flu virus caused an influenza pandemic.