ISLAMABAD: For many people, the onset of winter brings with it sniffles and blocked noses, leading many to opt for flu shots to firm up their immunity for the cold weather ahead.
But this year, a shortage of foreign-made flu vaccines has left many scrambling, and Naeem Ahmed is among them. His aged mother has been receiving a flu shot in October for the past several years.
‘This year, though, it seems my mother will become vulnerable to influenza as the vaccine is unavailable,’ he told Dawn.
According to a pharmacist, Anflu/TetrAnflu (Sinovac), French Vaxigrip (Sanofi), and Influvac (Abbott) were the three primary choices when it came to influenza vaccines available in the local market.
‘But none of them are available this year. I used to sell at least 1,500 shots in October, but this year I could not arrange a singleone,’ he said.
Another citizen, Sohail Jamil, told Dawn he had asked for flu vaccine at several different medical stores, but was repeatedly told that it was not available.
The flu vaccine is recommended for elderly people and children over three years of age, and should ideally be administered in early fall (September or October), or just before flu activity increases ahead of winter.
When approached forcomment, Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan CEO Dr Obaidullah Malik told Dawn the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine would be available by Nov 15.
A health ministry official attributed the vaccine’s unavailability to two factors: the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and a surge in prices due to rising demand.
‘The vaccine is in short supply in the international market due to transportation issues amid the Iran-USwar. Another reason is the prices, which have surged due to high demand and exorbitant transportation costs.
While price surges usually don’t affect availability in other markets, drug companies in Pakistan aren’t allowed to unilaterally jack up prices without the government’s blessing.
According to the official, while the French and American brands Vaxigrip and Influvac may not be available to customers this year, the Chinese-made Sinovac brand flu shots would become available in the coming fortnight.
While this may quell some doubts, most people who have opted for flu shots in the past prefer to stick to the same brand that works for them, either due to trust or medical suitability. For such individuals, going for another manufacturer’s vaccine may be easier said than done.
Price mismatch In the meantime, a pricing mismatch with the only flu vaccine currently availablein the market has put citizens in a further quandary.
Virionza, an inactivated, split-virion seasonal influenza vaccine, is being sold at a maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs1,304. However, if customers scan the 2D Barcode printed on its packaging, it shows that the price should be Rs654.
This has caused confusion at several pharmacies, as the Drap-mandated barcode exists purely to keep a check on price-gouging, by drug makers and pharmacies both.
A health ministry official conceded that this seemed tobe anerrorin thebarcode system, and that the company was selling the vaccine at the correct price.
When contacted for comment, Federal Minister for National Health Services Mustafa Kamal said he would inquire why the price printed on the drug packaging did not match the barcode price.
He also maintained that while some foreign brands may not be available on the market, the Sinovac-made flu vaccine would be available soon.