Asia offers more flu shots to head off COVID-19 complications

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 7% 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.

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.

In South Korea, health authorities are procuring 30 million flu vaccines for the winter season, up 20% 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.

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% from previous years.

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% more than usual.