Flu Season Arrives in Croatia Early, But Vaccines Are Late

October the 29th, 2026 – Despite flu season having arrived earlier than ever in Croatia this year, the vaccines are late. There are already around 200 people with more severe clinical pictures requiring medical care. This year, the flu season has arrived earlier than expected in Croatia, and the vaccine is unfortunately not yet available. Lucija Zderic reports for Index that while the regular vaccination process is currently awaited, paediatric clinics are already full of children dealing with more severe respiratory and intestinal infections. Colds and other viruses are also duly expected to cause issues at this time of year, but the early arrival of flu is particularly worrying because the virus has begun to spread before protection through vaccination has even become available. there are currently around 200 more serious cases Last year, flu vaccines were secured for Croatia right at the beginning of October, and vaccination began in the middle of the month. This year, however, October is nearing its end, the vaccines have not yet arrived in Croatia, and the number of cases is rising in the meantime. “In Croatia, 201 reports of flu cases have been received. Cases have been recorded in around ten counties, and the highest reporting rate was recorded in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Flu mostly affects preschool children. Laboratory analyses have sporadically confirmed influenza virus type A, and individual cases are also being recorded in other EU countries, where this type of virus also predominates,” the Croatian Institute of Public Health said. We asked why the vaccine delivery is delayed, when its availability is expected, and whether shifting the start of vaccination will affect the timely protection of citizens ahead of the peak of the flu season. “This season, a total of 420,000 doses of flu vaccine were ordered according to the needs expressed at the end of last season. Due to the simultaneous change of all three vaccine strains at the request of the World Health Organization, the manufacturer informed us of a possible delay in the delivery of the seasonal flu vaccine and the possibility of delivering the ordered doses in three parts. According to announcements, we expect the vaccine to be available at the beginning of November, but the exact date will be known in a few days. A similar situation exists in most European countries, i.e. it is a global delay in the delivery of vaccines from various manufacturers for the stated objective reasons.” the very peak of the flu season is expected at the end of 2026 According to the World Health Organisation, after flu vaccination it takes approximately two weeks for the body to develop protection against the flu virus. “In Croatia, flu usually occurs most intensively after the Christmas holidays, with the peak usually in mid-February. As soon as the vaccine is available, it will be distributed to the final vaccinators. Additionally, we must emphasise that for many years we usually started seasonal vaccination at the beginning of November; only in the last few years has vaccination begun at the end of October,” the Croatian Institute of Public Health said. The right to free vaccination primarily belongs to people at increased risk of a more severe form of the disease and the development of complications. Those who do not belong to these groups can be vaccinated at their own expense by requesting a private prescription from their family doctor, buying the vaccine at a pharmacy and bringing it to the doctor who will vaccinate them. The price of the vaccine ranges from approximately €15 to €25, depending on availability and place of purchase. children are spreading rsv, rotavirus and rhinovirus Despite being the most dangerous by far, influenza is not the only virus filling paediatric waiting rooms these days. Among children, common colds, RSV and rotavirus, which cause intestinal infections, are also spreading with ease. “RSV season is a period in which we must take particular care of the youngest children. When the virus starts to spread, the increase in the number of ill children can be sudden, so a larger number of young patients with similar symptoms can appear in a single day. RSV is particularly dangerous for infants, especially children in the first year of life, while older children usually have a milder clinical picture. Children with chronic diseases, for example heart and lung diseases and certain hereditary diseases, are also at increased risk. The infection can start with cold-like symptoms and then develop into a severe cough and difficulty breathing,” paediatrician Snježana Kapor Jeričević revealed. She added that treatment mainly includes inhalation therapy, re-hydration and cleaning of the upper airways. what should parents know? “We give parents instructions on caring for their child at home and the symptoms they should pay attention to, such as refusal of food, unusual tiredness and difficulty breathing. Signs of difficulty breathing can include flaring of the nostrils, more pronounced abdominal movement when breathing, and unusual sounds when inhaling or exhaling. In diagnostics, rapid tests now help us determine which virus is involved, which makes it easier and faster for us to make a diagnosis.” When it comes to rotavirus, which is present throughout the year but is somewhat more frequent at the end of summer, the paediatrician explains that it is the cause of intestinal infections that most often manifest as vomiting and diarrhoea. In treatment, re-hydration is the most important. “The most important thing in treatment is to replace the lost fluid and electrolytes, and this by using re-hydration solutions, not just water. Children lose large amounts of electrolytes through vomiting and diarrhoea, which parents sometimes forget. Probiotics can also help in treatment, as they can shorten the duration of the illness by a day or two,” paediatrician Kapor Jeričević noted. While other respiratory and intestinal infections are already spreading among the youngest, the question remains whether the flu vaccine will arrive in time for citizens to protect themselves before the expected rise in the number of cases. The Croatian Institute of Public Health says its availability is expected at the beginning of November, but until then vaccination remains on hold, despite the fact that flu cases have already been recorded. The post Flu Season Arrives in Croatia Early, But Vaccines Are Late appeared first on Total Croatia .