To Avoid Problematic Flu Season, Asia Ramps Up Influenza Vaccinations

In Taiwan, the government said it views the seasonal flu and the coronavirus as two separate concerns as they can control Covid-19 with existing strict rules, including mandatory quarantines.

Officials said late last month they planned to provide more than six million free doses this year.

Read also: Indonesia to Pick Free Covid-19 Vaccine Recipients Based on Health Insurance Data

In China, where flu shots are typically not free, some local authorities have reported a surge in demand.

Disease prevention authorities in the Changning district of Shanghai city told local media they expect demand for flu shots in the autumn and winter to increase some 50 percent from previous years.

In Australia, where the flu season runs roughly from June to September, officials procured 16.5 million flu shots, up from 13.2 million last year.

The moves in Asia echo similar efforts in North America and Europe.

In the United States, pharmaceutical firms are expected to provide around 200 million flu shots this year, about 20 percent more than usual.

(Writer: Sayantani Ghosh | Editor: Jane Wardell) 

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-flu-shots-asia/asia-offers-more-flu-shots-to-head-off-covid-19-complications-idUSL4N2GB1XB