Influenza spreads widely in Estonia every year and can cause serious health problems. Particularly at risk are young children, young people with high-risk illnesses, women with children and older people over the age of 60, who are at higher risk of severe illness and complications. According to Krista Juhanson, Head of the Health Board's Southern Region, they are the most vulnerable and need effective protection in the run-up to the flu season.
According to Krista Juhanson, head of the Health Board's southern region, flu is still a dangerous disease, especially for those whose bodies are more vulnerable to viruses. „Young children and young people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and the elderly definitely need protection, but parents should also consider vaccination. Sickness in young children can mean complications and long post-illness days,“ she said.
According to Juhanson, it is worth vaccinating as early as the autumn. „If protection is in place before the virus spreads, you will avoid severe illness in the family and in the community,“ he added.
According to the Health Board, 22.7% of all persons over 60 years of age in Valga County were vaccinated against influenza during the last flu season. The number of cases increased compared to the previous year. Just over 250 cases of influenza were recorded in Valga County during the 2024/2025 flu season.
A total of about 47 000 people in Estonia during the last virus season. Nearly 20,000 cases were recorded across Estonia last flu season, about 30% more than a year earlier. More than 1600 people needed hospital treatment, of whom more than 200 required intensive care. There were also 340 children under the age of 7 hospitalised, including more than 200 children under the age of two. The flu caused 107 deaths, including one infant. Over 90% of those who died from influenza were unvaccinated.
„The free flu vaccine for at-risk groups has now reached family doctors” centres, vaccination clinics and pharmacies across Estonia. To get vaccinated, you need to contact your family doctor's clinic or book an appointment through the clinic's website,„ explained Hanna Jäe, the Health Insurance Fund's vaccination service manager. ”During October, November and December, we will also be creating a number of unannounced vaccination opportunities in cooperation with the city of Tallinn and other municipalities. We will also send text messages to people at risk about vaccination opportunities close to home."
NOTE: The Health Insurance Fund does not call or offer the possibility to register by phone or SMS, nor does it direct you to click-through web addresses.
Vaccination is free of charge for people at risk of influenza. In Valga County, you can get vaccinated against influenza at all family medicine centres and at Valga Hospital. The contact details of the clinics can be found at: vaccinate.ee/lahen-vaccinate.
The flu vaccine is free of charge for children up to 7 years of age, minors at risk of influenza, women with children, everyone over 60 and residents of institutions. For people who are not at risk, the flu vaccine costs up to €30, depending on the price list of the vaccination centre.
More information: vaccinate.ee.
