PETALING JAYA: While demand for flu vaccines have spiked following news of the death of an international celebrity due to influenza complications and the outbreak in Japan, there aren’t enough vaccines available at the moment.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan TV Ganeson said general practitioners are seeing a spike in demand following the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, 48, from a flu in Japan recently.
However, he said some vaccines are out of stock.
“There is currently no stock. None in Sanofi, Zuellig or third-party drug reseller companies.
“The new batch of vaccines, both Fluarix and Vaxigrip, may be available by early March,” he said when contacted.
Dr Shanmuganathan said while demand for vaccines have risen sharply, it is difficult to gauge by how much.
“Companies are also requesting vaccines for their employees.
“The outbreak in Japan is another reason (for the shortage),” he said when contacted.
There is greater anxiety among Malaysian outbound tourists to Japan now on contracting deadly flu disease, more so with vaccines out of stock, Dr Shanmuganathan said.
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia President Dr Kuljit Singh confirmed that stock of flu vaccines was low.
“Yes, stock is low. We are waiting (for the stock) to arrive in March or April.
“We are using both northern and southern strain. Hopefully, the vaccines can be delivered early,” he added.
On the spike in demand for flu vaccines, Dr Kuljit said this is “pretty usual”.
“It is just that there maybe a bit of shortage right now.
“There might have been incidents where close relatives (of patients) having bad flu, hence the need to get vaccinated.
“We have many patients who are very cautious about preventing infection.
“They will seek private hospital assistance to get vaccinated quickly,” he added.
The global vaccine supply is made up of vaccines produced by 30 manufacturers, of which seven makes up for 85% of stock.
On Feb 7, the Health Ministry said there is no rising trend of influenza cases in Malaysia and no reported cases of avian influenza in humans either.
It said that hospital admissions for severe acute respiratory infection have decreased by 0.16% from 7.52% in epidemiological week 3 to 7.26% in EW 4.
Consultations for influenza-like illnesses at public health clinics declined from 5.81% in EW 3 to 4.67% in EW 4, the ministry said.
