PETALING JAYA: A flu vaccination drive for senior citizens with comorbidities will have enough vaccine supplies despite a current shortage of certain influenza shots in the market.
A source told The Star that the Health Ministry programme, which will start this month at more than 500 health clinics nationwide, is unaffected by the temporary shortage.
“The shortage is for supplies to private medical facilities, while the government’s supplies are adequate to meet the needs of seniors who take part in the vaccination drive,” the source said.
According to a Jan 24 circular signed by Health director-general Datuk Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, the influenza vaccination drive initially provided to health frontliners will now include senior citizens with at least one comorbidity.
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The order in the circular will come into force on Feb 18.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said last year that Putrajaya was planning to offer free influenza shots to senior citizens as part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) from 2025.
The Health Ministry said on Friday that there is no rising trend of influenza cases in Malaysia and no reported cases of avian influenza in humans either.
However, demand for flu shots has spiked following the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu due to pneumonia induced by influenza complications and the flu outbreak in Japan.
Private healthcare also reported shortages in vaccine supplies.
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Meanwhile, the shortage and high demand for influenza vaccines has driven the prices for the flu jabs up at some private clinics.
Surveys showed that some clinics were selling the flu jab at RM95 upwards.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan TV Ganeson said flu jabs generally cost between RM65 and RM95, depending on the location.
In the Klang Valley, flu jabs costs around RM80 on average.
“At the moment, there is no supply.
“Due to demand, we hear that the price has surged to RM90 and even RM150. Outbound travellers, especially, are willing to pay extra as they are desperate to be vaccinated,” he said when contacted.
Some clinics may have stocked up earlier, so they are able to supply,” he said adding that some of these clinics may have hiked up their prices due to demand.
He said clinics may add other charges too in addition to the jab cost, thus driving up the prices.
Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia President Dr Kuljit Singh said there is no increase in influenza jab prices at private hospitals.
“Private hospitals do not raise prices because of demand,” he said.
