Norway is experiencing an unusually high demand for influenza vaccinations, leading to supply challenges at pharmacies across the contry.Over 250,000 Norwegians have received a flu shot this season-a record number-driven by concerns over a potentially severe flu season and recent recommendations from health officials. pharmacies are now a primary access point for vaccinations, as municipalities increasingly direct residents to them amid a surge in demand.
News Flash:
Unusually High Demand for Flu Shots in Norway Leads to Pharmacy Shortages.
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Norwegian pharmacies are experiencing an unprecedented rush for flu vaccinations this season.
During the week of November 18th, known locally as week 47, a total of 41,000 flu shots were administered in pharmacies, according to Apotekforeningen.
This represents the highest weekly total recorded during the current vaccination period, the pharmacy association reported.
Apotekforeningen Communications Manager Jostein Soldal said the trend marks a significant departure from previous years.
– This is the highest number for a single week this season. It’s very unusual to see so many people getting vaccinated so late in the season, says Soldal.
To date, more than 260,000 people have received a flu vaccine at Norwegian pharmacies.
This is the highest number ever recorded, and 50,000 more than at the same time last year.
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) reports that the flu is already spreading – earlier than in previous years.
Soldal points to several factors driving the surge in demand.
– Many people have taken note of reports from FHI that we may face an especially severe flu season, which is starting earlier than usual and is caused by a new virus variant. This has received widespread media coverage, and many are likely worried about getting the flu over the holidays, he says.
Sent a Reminder
He also notes that Helsenorge sent a reminder last week to everyone over 65 who had not yet been vaccinated.
– I believe many of these people took the reminder to heart and went to the pharmacy to get vaccinated, he says.
Pharmacies are also seeing a clear shift in where people are getting vaccinated.
– Many municipalities are referring residents to pharmacies or their primary care physicians to get the flu vaccine. With pharmacies’ long opening hours and good accessibility throughout most of the country, it’s easy to stop by, says Soldal.
According to him, pharmacies are also becoming a more prominent primary option as municipal vaccination programs wind down towards the end of the season.
– It’s also likely that some municipalities have scaled down their own vaccination programs, because we are in what is normally the end of the vaccination season. In that case, the pharmacy is also a convenient option, he says.
Empty Shelves
Maren Lima, a professional advisor at the Apotek1 pharmacy chain, confirms that the pressure is being felt nationwide.
– There is a lot of demand at our pharmacies from people who want to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the flu now that Christmas is just around the corner. Many have also learned that FHI has said this year’s flu will be severe and therefore want to get vaccinated. We have vaccinated 30 percent more people than at the same time last year, says Paulsen.
She reports that the strong demand is already being felt in warehouses – and that some pharmacies are already out of stock.
– Due to high demand, some pharmacies are out of vaccines, but we are restocking throughout the week. About half of those we vaccinate are over 65, but pharmacies report that people aged 19 to 99 are choosing to get vaccinated. It’s not too late to get vaccinated against this year’s flu, she says.
Pharmacies offer vaccinations to everyone over the age of twelve, and Apotekerforeningen says that the largest group getting vaccinated remains the elderly.
– Since the flu vaccine is especially recommended for people over 65, we also see in pharmacies that this age group accounts for a large proportion of those getting vaccinated, says Soldal.
