No shortage of influenza vaccines, say doctors

PETALING JAYA: There is a sufficient supply of influenza vaccines in the country.

Technical Committee chairman for the Immunise4Life Programme Prof Datuk Dr Zulkifli Ismail said contrary to news reports, hospitals and clinics had been procuring supplies from several sources.

“Hence, there is no shortage of influenza vaccines,” he said.

The consultant paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist at KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital said there were enough doses left at his hospital and these could last until September.

“Our usage is about 30 doses a month. We take our flu vaccines from a number of suppliers, not just one,” he said, adding that as such, supply was sufficient.

Dr Zulkifli was responding to news reports that claimed that influenza vaccines would only be available in 2024.

President of Malaysian Medical Association Dr Koh Kar Chai concurred with Dr Zulkifli.

“The current disruption to supply is due to an increase in uptake of the vaccines which the distributors were unprepared for.

“I understand that this situation is being rectified by those in the industry to ensure the availability of the vaccines,” he added.

However, Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said the stock was “low” at some private hospitals as compared to a year ago.

“If there are too many people coming in for the jabs, then there is a likelihood that we may not have enough for a while because some vendors will only be able to get the supplies within two weeks,” he said.

Dr Kuljit Singh said that while some brands could replenish the stock within two weeks, others were not able to provide answers as yet.

“Factors, such as the Ukraine-Russia war, are at play,” he said.