To Avoid Problematic Flu Season, Asia Ramps Up Influenza Vaccinations

TOKYO/SEOUL/BEIJING, KOMPAS.com – Several Asian countries are pushing for earlier and more aggressive flu shots this year to minimize the risk of contracting the flu and Covid-19 virus simultaneously.

In various parts of Asia, crippling healthcare systems are being pushed to the brink of overcapacity as the number of Covid-19 cases in the region continues to swell.

With a second or third wave of the coronavirus pandemic looming for many countries, tackling this year's flu season — typically December through February — has taken on increased urgency.

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Japan’s Health Minister is preparing 31.2 million flu shots, up 7 percent from 2019 thus making it the highest amount since 2015.

Officials are also advising symptomatic patients to call medical hotlines before going for testing to avoid contagion at hospitals.

"We are going to focus our medical resources on the severely ill in anticipation of the seasonal influenza epidemic," Takeshi Enami, a Japanese Health Ministry official said last week after a meeting of disease experts.

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The World Health Organization has urged global widespread influenza vaccinations this year, amid concerns the same people who are most vulnerable to risks from Covid-19, such as the elderly and those with respiratory conditions, are also at greatest risk for the flu.

Data on the number of annual flu cases across Asia is limited, although Japan had about 12 million cases in the 2018/19 season, according to an official source.

In South Korea, health authorities are procuring 30 million flu vaccines for the winter season, up 20 percent from last year.

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Around 19 million people will be inoculated for free, covering a third of the country's population, up from 13.8 million a year ago.

Officials are also extending the demographic window for a free vaccination, this year covering children from six months to 18, adults over 61, and pregnant women.

South Korea's biggest flu vaccine maker GC Pharma told Reuters it will make over 10 million flu shots for this season, up from the 8.5 million doses last year.