The authorization of expenditure by the five Regional Health Administrations (ARS) for the purchase of influenza vaccine was approved on Thursday at the meeting of the Council of Ministers.

Questioned by the Lusa agency about the authorized amount, the Ministry of Health said that the total value cannot exceed 15,352,790.40 euros, to which VAT is added at the legal rate in force, 501,000 euros more than in the flu season of 2021/2022 (14,851,577.85 euros).

In the National Health Service, the vaccine is free for citizens aged 65 years or over, pregnant women, for people residing or hospitalized in institutions, for people with some specific diseases, for SNS health professionals and for firefighters.