Where can clinics get flu vaccines?

Shortage phenomenon

Salespeople apologizing dozens of times a day

"All pharmaceutical companies say they don't have flu vaccine stock.

 

I am already worried because the quantity I received from the public health center is small." A Doctor of Clinic A in Seoul said in this way that he called all of the sales staff at pharmaceutical companies that supply flu vaccines, but said it was hard to get supplies.

 

Due to COVID-19, flu vaccine shortages are occurring as expected.

 

Pharmaceutical companies have increased production compared to last year in anticipation of an increase in demand this year, but supply is rapidly exhausting.

 

This is because the private market volume has drastically decreased as the number of people eligible for NIP increased.

 

It is estimated that about 19 million people are eligible for free vaccination this year.

 

It is an increase of 5.19 million people from the previous year.

 

  There are many clinics and hospitals looking for supplies, but the supply of them is insufficient.

 

Online orders were sold out as soon as the quantity was released, even though the number of purchases per person was limited to 100.

 

Salespeople in charge receive dozens of inquiries a day asking for flu vaccines.

 

Mr.

 

B, an employee in charge of the flu vaccine sales, said, “Calls are pouring out at the local hospital asking if there is a vaccine.

 

I am sorry that the supply has been exhausted” "It is being used up faster than ever since it was operated with only 70% of the volume than last year," he complained.

 

He added, "Even clinics and hospitals with an existing transaction history can only place orders for About half of last year's amount." There are also frequent inquiries through employees of other pharmaceutical companies because some clinics and hospitals do not have or limited deals with flu vaccine vendors and can not obtain quantities.

 

Mr.

 

C, an employee who sells flu vaccines, said, “I get a lot of calls from third-party employees of other companies contacted by a hospital they are acquainted with.” Some hospitals even raged when the stock was not available.

 

If the salesperson in charge tells them that there is no stock available, the clinic or hospital calls the senior executive of the pharmaceutical company to fire the person in charge or gets angry.

 

An official from a flu vaccine manufacturer said, "There are many hospitals that want to secure supplies in advance in a pandemic situation.

 

Since the vaccine is still in the early stages of supply and shipments are being released every week, the shortage phenomenon will get better sooner or later."