INDORE: Malwa-Nimar region has witnessed three times rise in demand of flu vaccines administered to all above the age of six months this year from pre-pandemic times in 2019.
The record of flu vaccine supply showed that districts in this region had already received around 50,000 doses of flu vaccines in the first 10 months of this year, which was thrice of 15,000 doses sold in 2019.
A major stockist of flu vaccines in the region Manoj Rai told TOI, “Demand for flu vaccines has suddenly increased with outbreak of pandemic last year and kept on rising.”
“Last year during pandemic, there was a supply of 20,000-25,000 doses of vaccines in this region of state and now the first ten months of 2021 already witnessed a rise in demand to 50,000 doses,” said Rai.
Rai said that districts including Indore, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Burhanpur, Khandwa, Harda, had witnessed major demand in this period.
The flu vaccines prevent children from multiple issues including pneumonia, swine flu, influenza, common cold, and others. It is usually prescribed to kids having asthma, allergy, or people in high-risk groups, said Paediatrician Dr Tarun Gupta.
“Pandemic has changed the attitude of people towards flu vaccines. Before the outbreak of the pandemic, we had to counsel parents to inoculate their child with this vaccine. But now they came demanding for it because of awareness, fear of pandemic”, said Dr Gupta.
Their vaccine can be administered to all from aged six months or above and should be taken annually. It protects from four types of flu and cold.
Flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children. In countries like the USA, Britain, this vaccine is mandatory for all, said Dr Gupta.
“The fear of Covid along with delay in allowing Covid vaccines for kids is boosting demand for flu vaccines preventing similar kinds of disease”, paediatrician Dr Hemant Dwivedi said.
“Flu vaccines are very useful, and it should be taken by all above the age of six months”, appealed Dr Dwivedi.
