Greece reports low flu activity as vaccinations rise ahead of seasonal peak

Greece is heading into the seasonal flu period with low influenza activity, according to the National Public Health Organization (EODY).

Authorities said fewer than 5% of visits to primary health care doctors involve flu-like symptoms, well below the 10% threshold that signals an outbreak.

Flu vaccinations continue to rise. As of Tuesday, 965,000 over-the-counter flu shots had been administered, along with 215,000 vaccinations requiring a prescription. A prescription is needed for booster doses for people over 65 and for transplant recipients.

Apostolos Valtas, president of the Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association, told Kathimerini that vaccination rates are in line with last year’s pace and that a clearer picture will emerge by the end of November.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 circulation remains moderate, with EODY reporting 15 deaths in the past two weeks, compared with one flu-related fatality, underscoring continued recommendations for vaccination among vulnerable groups.