Islamabad residents face difficulties as influenza vaccines remain unavailable

As winter approaches, residents of Islamabad are facing difficulties in accessing influenza vaccines, with several families reporting their unavailability at pharmacies across the capital.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting an annual flu vaccine is the most effective way to lower the risk of influenza and its potentially serious complications.

Naeem Ahmed, a resident of Islamabad, said he had been searching for the vaccine for his mother for the past month but had been unable to find it. He said he had ensured she received the flu shot every October for several years.

He expressed concern that his mother might remain unprotected against influenza this winter due to the ongoing shortage.

Another resident, Sohail Jamil, reported a similar experience, saying he visited several pharmacies but was informed that flu vaccines were unavailable.

A pharmacist, who requested anonymity, said three major flu vaccine brands were usually sold in Pakistan: China's Sinovac, France's Vaxigrip and the United States' Influvac. However, none of these vaccines had reached the market this year.

He said he typically sold around 1,500 doses in October but had been unable to arrange even a single dose this season.

The pharmacist added that flu vaccination is ideally recommended in early autumn, particularly for older people, before seasonal influenza cases begin to rise.

He further claimed that some agents had started taking advance payments through online bookings in the black market amid rumours of a vaccine shortage. However, they too had failed to arrange supplies.

Meanwhile, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) Chief Executive Officer Dr Obaidullah Malik said the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine was expected to become available by November 15.