Pakistan faces shortage of seasonal influenza vaccines

A shortage of seasonal influenza vaccines has emerged across Pakistan.

According to drug control authorities, influenza vaccines manufactured by multinational companies are expected to become available in limited quantities by late November or December.

Officials stated that the limited stocks of flu vaccines manufactured by Chinese companies have also been exhausted in the market. The severe shortage has reportedly led to attempts to sell suspected counterfeit flu vaccines.

Meanwhile, drug inspectors in Lahore conducted a raid and seized a large quantity of suspected counterfeit flu vaccines allegedly manufactured by a well-known multinational company.

Two individuals suspected of involvement in the sale of the counterfeit vaccines were arrested, and a case was registered against them.

Authorities said laboratory testing and further investigations are underway to determine the authenticity of the seized vaccines.

Officials have advised the public to purchase flu vaccines only from licensed pharmacies and to verify the batch numbers and cold-chain storage conditions to ensure vaccine safety and authenticity.