Seasonal flu vaccination will begin nationwide on October 22. The Government will fully fund the jab, making it free for every citizen.

Georgia has bought 200,000 doses of a French-made trivalent seasonal flu vaccine, Sanofi Winthrop Industrie’s Vaxigrip, under the state immunisation programme. It is one of the vaccines recommended by the World Health Organisation.

The vaccine is matched to the strains expected to circulate during the flu season.

Vaccination is particularly important for high-risk groups. These include people with chronic illnesses, cancer patients, pregnant women, people aged 60 and over, healthcare workers, and residents and staff of shelters and care homes.

The vaccine is available for kids aged 6 months and over at participating clinics and medical facilities, and is free of charge.