ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is experiencing a shortage of seasonal influenza vaccines, making it more difficult for people to access vaccines intended to protect against the flu. According to drug control authorities, limited supplies from multinational manufacturers may become available by late November or December.
Authorities said that the limited stock of flu vaccines supplied by Chinese manufacturers had also been exhausted in the market. The shortage has raised concerns about access to genuine vaccines and the potential circulation of unverified products.
Amid the supply constraints, authorities have reported an alleged attempt to sell counterfeit influenza vaccines. In Lahore, drug inspectors conducted a raid and recovered a substantial quantity of suspected counterfeit flu vaccines bearing the name of a well-known multinational pharmaceutical company.
Officials said two individuals allegedly involved in the case had been arrested and a criminal case registered. However, the authenticity of the recovered vaccines has yet to be conclusively established, with laboratory testing and further investigations still underway.
The seizure has raised concerns about medicine safety and the monitoring of pharmaceutical supply chains. Counterfeit or improperly manufactured vaccines can pose health risks, making product verification and regulatory oversight particularly important during periods of shortage.
Drug control authorities have advised consumers to purchase influenza vaccines only from licensed pharmacies. They have also urged buyers to check packaging details, batch numbers and the reliability of the supplier. Maintaining the required cold chain is essential because improper storage can compromise vaccine quality and effectiveness.
