{
  "id": 18333933,
  "title": "Citizens in Islamabad left hanging amid unavailability of influenza vaccines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/citizens-in-islamabad-left-hanging-amid-unavailability-of-influenza-18333933",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-05T15:57:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2042365/citizens-in-islamabad-left-hanging-amid-unavailability-of-influenza-vaccines"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As winter approaches, many families in Islamabad have struggled to obtain influenza vaccines due to their unavailability in the local market. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual seasonal flu vaccine as the best protection against the virus and its severe complications. Naeem Ahmed, a resident who administers the vaccine to his mother annually, expressed concern that his mother may be at risk this year due to the shortage. Sohail Jamil, another citizen, also reported difficulty in finding the vaccine at various medical stores. A pharmacist at a local drug store mentioned that the primary flu vaccines available - Chinese Sinovac, French Vaxigrip, and American Influvac - were all out of stock this year. The pharmacist explained that the vaccines should ideally be administered in early autumn, around September or October, to protect against the flu before it becomes more prevalent in the community. The pharmacist speculated that some unscrupulous agents may have been involved in the black market by taking advance payments for the vaccine. The chief executive officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) revealed that the Chinese vaccine Sinovac would be available by November 15. However, the only available vaccine, Virionza, has sparked controversy over its price discrepancy. The barcode on the pack lists the price at Rs654, which is 50% less than the maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs1,304 listed on the pack. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal acknowledged the price discrepancy and promised to investigate the matter.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: With the onset of winter nearly here, a number of families in the federal capital have been unable to get their hands on influenza (flu) vaccines. According to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention , an annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to help reduce the risk of getting flu and any of its potentially serious complications. Naeem Ahmed, a resident of the federal…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}