HCMC – Fears of a flu outbreak has driven a surge in vaccinations and a scramble for antiviral medication in HCMC, straining supplies at clinics and pharmacies.
Public and private centers, including the HCMC Pasteur Institute, VNVC vaccination centers, and FPT Long Chau vaccination centers, have reported a sharp increase in demand since the Lunar New Year holiday.
Many individuals, including those who had previously skipped their annual flu shots, are now taking extra precautions. Phung Duong Thanh, a resident of Tan Binh District, said he had not kept up with annual flu shots but decided to get vaccinated with his family after reports of severe flu complications. He took his son out of school for the morning to receive the shot.
Dr. Dinh Van Thoi, head of the Vaccination Clinic at the Pasteur Institute, said demand had risen more than 20%. The seasonal transition and fears of flu transmission have driven people to get immunized. Thoi emphasized the importance of annual flu shots, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
Meanwhile, VNVC vaccination centers have seen flu vaccinations rise tenfold, according to Medical Director Dr. Bach Thi Chinh, with most recipients being children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying conditions.
Some families have brought groups of over 20 members for vaccination. VNVC has pledged to maintain vaccine quality and stable pricing despite the increased demand.
Despite the surge in demand, health officials assured that vaccine supplies remain adequate. Dr. Thoi confirmed that the Pasteur Institute has sufficient stock and will adjust supply as needed if demand continues to rise. Currently, the institute offers two flu vaccines: GCFlu Quadrivalent from South Korea and Influvac Tetra from the Netherlands, priced between VND345,000 and VND350,000 per dose.
Alongside the rising demand for flu vaccines, Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, has seen fluctuating availability and prices in the city. Some pharmacies report stock shortages, while others are selling the drug at higher prices.
Many pharmacies across the city have run out of Tamiflu 75mg. In stores where it is available, prices range from VND75,000 to VND85,000 per capsule, or VND750,000 to VND850,000 per box of 10 capsules.
At a pharmacy on Thuan Kieu Street in District 5, staff quoted a price of VND850,000 per box, stating that only two boxes remained. Another pharmacy on Nguyen Chi Thanh Street in District 10 required a doctor’s prescription and said the drug was available for VND750,000 per box but would take 30 minutes to be delivered from another location.
However, the official price of Tamiflu 75mg capsules is listed at VND44,877 per capsule, or nearly VND450,000 per box, according to Vietnam’s Drug Administration website. A generic alternative, Flustad 75, is priced at VND18,000 per capsule, or VND180,000 per box.
Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, vice president of HCMC’s Infectious Diseases Association, warned against self-medication with Tamiflu. While the drug can neutralize the flu virus, it has potential side effects, including mental health impacts. He stressed that Tamiflu must be taken early to be effective, typically within two to three days of symptom onset.
Dr. Khanh also cautioned that misuse of Tamiflu could lead to drug resistance, making future treatments more difficult. He advised people to consult doctors before taking the medication to avoid counterfeit or substandard drugs and to ensure proper dosage.
“Rather than stockpiling Tamiflu, people should focus on strengthening their immune system and detecting illness early,” Khanh said.
