中国流感疫苗接种率 亚洲多国加大流感疫苗供应

亚洲多国加大流感疫苗供应  

Some Asian countries are rolling out early and more aggressive influenza vaccination programs this year
seeking to reduce the potential of people contracting the flu and COVID-19 simultaneously
crippling healthcare systems.
With a second or third wave of the coronavirus pandemic looming for many countries
tackling this year's flu season – typically December through February – has taken on increased urgency.
In Japan
the health ministry is preparing 31.2 million flu shots
up seven percent from last year and the highest amount since 2015. Officials are also urging symptomatic patients to call medical hotlines before going for testing to avoid contagion at hospitals.
在日本，卫生部（厚生劳动省）正在准备3120万支流感疫苗，比去年多了7%，数量是2015年来最多的。卫生部官员也敦促有症状的患者在做检测前拨打医疗热线电话，以避免在医院感染他人。
"We are going to focus our medical resources on the severely ill in anticipation of the seasonal influenza epidemic
" Takeshi Enami
a Japanese health ministry official said last week after a meeting of disease experts.
The World Health Organization has urged global widespread flu vaccinations this year
amid concerns the same people who are most vulnerable to risks from COVID-19
such as the elderly and those with respiratory conditions
are also at greatest risk for the flu.
Data on the number of annual flu cases across Asia is limited
although Japan had about 12 million cases in the 2018/19 season
according to an official source.
In South Korea
health authorities are procuring 30 million flu vaccines for the winter season
up 20 percent from last year. Around 19 million people will be inoculated for free
covering a third of the country's population
up from 13.8 million a year ago.
Officials are also extending the demographic window for free vaccination
this year covering children from six months to 18
adults over 61 and pregnant women.
South Korea's biggest flu vaccine maker GC Pharma told Reuters it will make over 10 million flu shots for this season
up from the 8.5 million doses last year.
In China
some local authorities have reported a surge in demand. Disease prevention authorities in the Changning district of Shanghai city told local media they expect demand for flu vaccines in the autumn and winter to increase some 50 percent from previous years.
In Australia
where the flu season runs roughly from June to September
officials procured 16.5 million flu shots
up from 13.2 million last year.
The moves in Asia echo similar efforts in North America and Europe. In the United States
pharmaceutical firms are expected to provide around 200 million flu vaccines this year
about 20 percent more than usual.