China to make up to 50 million flu vaccine doses available amid Covid-19 pandemic, official says
- People are worried about double threat of coronavirus and influenza in coming months, says deputy director of agency in charge of vaccines
- But production constraints may mean drug makers cannot meet demand
China is expecting strong demand for flu shots in the coming months and will make up to 50 million doses available, an official with the agency in charge of vaccines said.
“[We have] so far released over 30 million doses of flu shots this year and the final number may reach 50 million when the influenza season begins next month,” Zhang told an industry forum on Sunday, according to Shanghai-based news site ThePaper.
But he said while the agency had stepped up inspection checks – required for all vaccines before they can enter the market – other factors such as constraints on production could affect the supply of flu shots.
In China, about 30 million flu shots are usually given each year, covering 2 per cent of the population, according to official data. The vaccines are distributed by the government to medical organisations.
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Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, has previously warned that China – which has brought its coronavirus outbreak under control – still faces the double threat of Covid-19 and influenza this autumn and winter, and he advised people to get flu shots.