In Latvia, the first cases of flu for the current season have already been identified in September. As reported by [TV3 News](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/sabiedriba/austrumu-slimnica-jau-arste-pacientu-ar-gripas-komplikacijam-bridina-par-agru-sezonas-sakumu/), three cases of the disease have been laboratory confirmed, and a patient with complications is already being treated at the Eastern Clinical University Hospital. Doctors note that this development was not unexpected. Last season also started earlier than usual and turned out to be particularly severe. The peak of the illness then occurred in December. Almost 600 patients with confirmed flu were treated at the Eastern Hospital, and according to the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDPC), 51 cases of death among people with confirmed infection were registered across the country. The director of the Latvian Infectology Center, Baiba Rozentale, explained that after several years of dominance of the coronavirus infection, the flu virus has begun to spread actively again. "When SARS-CoV-2 began to cause a milder course of the disease, the flu virus gradually regained strength. Last year, the season started early, there were many cases, and unfortunately, there were severe cases and fatalities," Rozentale noted. According to her, the virus continues to change, which is why the composition of the vaccine for the current season has been completely updated. Vaccination remains particularly important for people in risk groups and the elderly, as they have a significantly higher likelihood of severe disease and complications. The specialist also reported that a special vaccine for people over 60 with a higher antigen content will be available from the second to third week of October. The vaccine for other population groups, funded by the state, is expected in early November. Despite the gradual increase in the number of vaccinated individuals, the coverage level remains low. According to statistics, only about one in seven residents of Latvia over 60 years old gets the flu vaccine. Residents surveyed by TV3 have different attitudes towards vaccination. Some get vaccinated annually, believing it helps them cope with the illness more easily, while others think that vaccination is no longer necessary after having had the flu, and some do not get vaccinated at all. Free vaccination in Latvia is available to people over 60, pregnant women, children under two years old, patients with certain chronic diseases, as well as medical workers and staff of social care institutions.
