Coronavirus: vaccine scandals haunt China’s winter flu shot drive
- People in high-risk groups encouraged to get an influenza jab to help ease pressure on the country’s health system
- But efforts are hampered by cost, lack of access and public concerns about quality
Before the flu season starts in October, Yi Jie, a 32-year-old Beijing programmer is determined to have a flu shot.
Yi has never had a flu jab before – even though her company pays for it – but this year she has called several clinics to make an appointment. “I’m always too busy. But this year is different. I must get a jab,” Yi said.
China is ramping up production of the shots in anticipation of much higher domestic demand but even if all the doses are used, only a small proportion of people will be vaccinated, with many deterred by cost, lack of access and fresh memories of pharmaceutical scandals.
The advice from the top is for as many people as possible to get flu shots, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with chronic conditions. That is because flu viruses can complicate the diagnosis of Covid-19, exacerbate other illnesses and swamp medical systems struggling to come to grips with the coronavirus.