GPs warn: flu vaccination should not be delayed

The National Society of Family Medicine (SNMF) issued an appeal to the public on Sunday: book a consultation with your GP for the flu vaccine as soon as possible, before the virus spreads throughout the community. The recommendation applies to all age groups – children, young people, adults, and those over 65 – regardless of whether they are healthy or have chronic conditions.

The reason for the urgency: the body needs time to build its protection, so vaccination should not be delayed until the first waves of illness appear.

Why the timing of vaccination matters

Vaccines are already available in pharmacies, and your GP can recommend the most suitable option for each patient based on their age and health status. According to specialists, protection only takes effect approximately two weeks after administration.

"The vaccine doesn't protect you from the day you receive it, but after around two weeks. That's why there's no point in waiting for the first cases or the first news about an epidemic. Flu is not a simple cold – it can lead to pneumonia, hospitalisation, and even death, particularly in vulnerable individuals," said Dr Dina Mergeani, President of the SNMF.

Who is at risk of complications

Doctors warn that flu can lead to pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, and hospitalisation. The most vulnerable groups are elderly people, children, pregnant women, patients with chronic illnesses, and those with weakened immune systems – for these individuals, vaccination reduces the risk of illness and severe complications.

Young, healthy people are not exempt either: the illness can mean several days of fever, absences from work, and situations where the entire family falls ill at the same time. Children play a significant role, as they can pick up the virus in group settings (nursery, kindergarten, school) and subsequently pass it on to parents and grandparents.

"When we vaccinate a child, we're not only protecting that child – we're protecting the entire family and slowing the spread of the virus in the community. And when we vaccinate adults, elderly people, and patients with chronic conditions, we are collectively building a shield that keeps flu at bay," explained Dr Răzvan Miftode, Vice-President of the SNMF.

Available vaccine types

• Injectable vaccine – can be administered from the age of six months, for use in children, adults, and elderly people alike.
• Nasal vaccine – intended for children and adolescents between the ages of 2 and 18.

The choice of the appropriate option is made together with your GP, taking into account each patient's individual circumstances. Specialists recommend getting vaccinated every year, as viral strains change and vaccine formulations are updated to target the strains expected to circulate in that particular season.

Only 6.9% of Romanians were vaccinated last season

According to SNMF data, in the 2025–2026 season just over 1.3 million Romanians received the flu vaccine, representing 6.9% of the population. This figure is more than ten times lower than the 75% threshold referenced by the organisation in relation to World Health Organization recommendations.

In light of these figures, GPs recommend not waiting for a wave of illness before getting vaccinated, but instead booking a consultation in advance and discussing the most suitable vaccine with your doctor.