Kazakhstan prepares for flu season: Vaccination starts Sept. 15, free shots for priority groups

Kazakhstan is preparing for the upcoming epidemic season, which includes influenza, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI), and COVID-19. The country's Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee has announced that flu vaccinations will commence on September 15.

Preventive immunization will be offered free of charge to specific groups identified as high-priority. These include individuals with chronic health conditions, schoolchildren, pregnant women, the elderly, infants and toddlers, and those residing in closed-type facilities or special social service organizations. Local health authorities are tasked with compiling lists of eligible individuals by September 3 and ensuring the proper storage and transport of vaccines.

Medical organizations are also being readied for a potential surge in patients presenting with flu-like symptoms. This includes preparing vaccination rooms and mobile teams, as well as ensuring healthcare workers are equipped to handle adverse reactions. Surveillance protocols for URTI, flu, and COVID-19 will be intensified, shifting to daily tracking by October 1.

These comprehensive measures aim to bolster Kazakhstan's preparedness for the 2026–2027 epidemic season, ensuring a coordinated public health response to respiratory illnesses.