Flu vaccines out of stock as demand rises in China

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02:14

Chinese cities like Beijing are facing a tight supply of vaccine this winter amid shortage several weeks into the flu season.

"We've seen a deficit in flu vaccines since the end of October. So far we only have half of the population covered. So some patients may not have the chance to get shots," said Dr. Jia Yueming, chief of pharmacy at Oasis International Hospital.

Experts estimate this year's flu vaccine yields have fallen by at least 50 percent. According to the National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, the country has only issued 14 million flu vaccines as of mid-November, half of what was issued in 2017.

After one of China's most serious public health scandals, drug regulators revoked the license of the nation's fourth largest flu vaccine manufacturer.

Changsheng Biotech provided 3.5 million doses last year, accounting for 12 percent of the total flu vaccines approved in China. Its absence has proven devastating.

Changchun Changsheng Bio-technology was fined 9.1 billion yuan ($1.3 billion) and had its production license revoked in October for falsifying data and producing ineffective vaccines. /VCG Photo

Several other domestic manufacturers have also seen significant drops in flu vaccine yields.

Beijing-based Sinovac Biotech, which supplied 3.4 million doses in 2017, had completely shut down its production this year. The company said at least 2.2 million doses were discarded due to interruptions during production by unidentified individuals.

Dr. Jia says the Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control has helped local hospitals, but the arrival of backups remains unknown. Compounding the situation is a greater demand for flu shots this season. Frightened by last year's flu outbreak, people have been eagerly waiting to be vaccinated.

"The public has more awareness of the flu, so demand is high. We often get calls from patients asking whether the hospital has any vaccines available, or questioning why it isn't in stock yet," said the doctor.

Between November 2017 and March 2018, 129 Chinese people died from flu, six times higher than that in 2016, according to statistics from the National Health Commission. But even if the patient has taken the shot, vaccines are not a cure-all.

"No vaccine can prevent influenza 100 percent effectively. For example, if one gets a Type C vaccine and is infected by Type A flu. Then it's no use," said Dr. Qiu Meilan, general practitioner at the hospital, adding that vaccines cannot cover everything or everyone.

Doctors advise keeping away from big crowds and staying indoors on smoggy days.