Flu vaccine availability has tightened across Pakistan, with seasonal influenza vaccines from both multinational firms and Chinese manufacturers reportedly missing from the market.
Officials said multinational pharmaceutical companies’ flu vaccines are expected to reach the country in November or December. Drug control authorities said the limited Chinese-manufactured stocks that had been supplied have also been used up, leaving shoppers with little genuine product to buy.
Why stocks are missing now
Seasonal influenza vaccines are usually given before winter, when flu cases tend to rise. They are generally recommended for people at higher risk, including older adults, young children, pregnant women and those with long-term illnesses.
With genuine product scarce, the flu vaccine shortage in Pakistan has also brought reports of attempts to sell allegedly counterfeit vaccines. Drug control authorities are trying to keep patients from turning to unverified sources when they cannot find a licensed supply.
How authorities say to buy safely
Drug control authorities have advised the public to buy flu vaccines only from licensed pharmacies. An official urged buyers to confirm that the cold chain—the refrigerated handling that keeps a vaccine effective—has been maintained, to check the batch number, and to verify the manufacturer’s seal on the pack.
Those steps matter because a broken cold chain or a fake seal can mean a product that does not protect against influenza, even if it looks like a real vial or syringe.
When new supplies may arrive
Until multinational shipments land, flu vaccine availability is likely to stay constrained. Officials have pointed to November or December as the window for those imports. In the meantime, high-risk households may need to wait rather than accept unverified offers, and pharmacies are expected to restock only when fresh licensed batches arrive.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan mein abhi seasonal flu vaccine market se almost khatam ho chuki hai. Chinese stocks khatam ho gaye hain aur multinational vaccines November ya December mein aane ki umeed hai. Fake vaccine bechne ki koshishen bhi samne aayi hain, is liye sirf licensed pharmacy se hi lein. Cold chain, batch number aur seal zaroor check karein.
