“After receiving Royal Command, we are considering flu vaccine for everyone from next year onwards. Because ordinary flu will complicate or mix with other flu-like symptoms like in the present case, it is COVID-19. That is why the Health Ministry is working towards providing the service from next year,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister during a Meet the Press in April.
The Health Ministry has been working towards fulfilling this, and accordingly, the seasonal influenza vaccine will be made available to all Bhutanese towards the end of this year. And it is estimated to cost more than Nu 113 M.
Influenza vaccination or flu shots are vaccines that protect against infection by influenza viruses. It was introduced in the country last year for five identified high-risk groups comprising pregnant women, children less than 24 months, elderly above 65 years, people with chronic medical conditions and healthcare workers.
Each person will be getting a dose. And it will cost about Nu 225 per dose. The Health Ministry estimates the cost more than Nu 113 M which includes the expenditures for vaccines and immunization devices such as syringes and safety boxes. The general population will be getting the influenza vaccine from this year.
Sangay Phuntsho, a Senior Program Officer with the Department of Public Health at the Health Ministry shares how the flu shots will be made available to the public by the end of this year.
Since these vaccines are seasonal, the timing is very important. We have to deliver the vaccine on time. So that’s why we have already communicated with the UNICEF on 16th July this month for the procurement and reservation for Bhutan. We are expecting it to be delivered at least by November. And then as soon as the vaccines are in the country, we have a robust system for distribution networks in the country. We have three regional cold stores because we have to maintain the cold chain properly,” he said.
Since the end of last year, the identified five high-risk groups have been vaccinated. According to him, the ministry has already deposited the budget for the procurement of this routine vaccine for the high-risk group in April, “and we are expecting these vaccines to be delivered by October this year which will be used for routine high-risk group population. Last year, an estimate of 90,000 of people had been estimated under this high-risk group and among that, around 81,000 of this group have been vaccinated.”
The vaccine is expected to help in preventing flu and reduce the pressure on testing for COVID-19 as both have similar symptoms.
“There will be a secondary public health crisis if there is an influenza outbreak. The health system in the country both in terms of human resources as well as financial resources had been badly strained because of COVID-19. And if we have to battle again with influenza, it will be very unfortunate and difficult for the country and particularly for the Health Ministry,” he added.
The vaccination will be available from all the health centres. Bhutan has high national immunization coverage which is above 90 per cent for about a decade now.
Tshering Zam
