PETALING JAYA: The shortage of flu vaccines may ease in March as the number of people going for vaccination has spiked recently.

Sin Chew Daily learns that members of the public have complained about difficulty in getting influenza vaccination and many clinics are unable to ensure supply of the vaccine.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad told The Star that new supply of flu vaccines is expected to arrive in March and there is no need for panic.

Many have turned to social media in search of clinics for influenza vaccination over the last few days following the death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu from a flu in Japan recently.

A check by Sin Chew Daily shows that flu vaccines are out of stock in many places, with prices ranging from RM55 to RM120.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia President Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganeson told Sin Chew Daily the surge in demand for flu vaccines in February was unusual.

“Demand for flu vaccines usually increases from October to December during the peak travelling season, but not February.

“It could be due to the death of a celebrity that caused public concern,” he said, adding that the global demand for flu vaccines increased too, leading to shortage of supply.

Many clinics no longer have sufficient stock of flu vaccines, he said, adding that distributors informed clinics they would have to wait till mid-March.

Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), also confirmed the shortage of flu vaccines.

“The situation will improve in March or April,” he said.