As fall and winter are the seasons that see high incidence of influenza, many citizens have recently put the influenza (flu) vaccination on their agenda and adults have shown greater willingness to vaccinate against the flu this year, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
According to a citizen surnamed Liu, her immune system is relatively weak and she is susceptible to colds in the fall. She said that her awareness of flu prevention has been increased this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another citizen surnamed Lin also shared the same idea. “The children, adults and the elderly in our family are all ready to get the flu vaccine,” Lin told the Daily.
The increasing willingness to vaccinate has spurred an increase in the demand for flu vaccines. Many Shenzhen citizens reported that they were unable to make an appointment to get a “flu shot.”
According to Nanshan Community Health Service Center, more than 50 adult flu vaccines arrived last month and were all gone in less than two days.
A number of community health service center staff told the Daily that people who want to receive flu shots can consult local community health centers, and a batch of the flu vaccines will be supplied in the near future.
The health authority in Longgang District has launched an adult vaccine appointment platform. Citizens can follow its WeChat account “lgqwsjsj” (龙岗健康在线) to make an appointment.
According to Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), currently there is no unified adult vaccine appointment system in Shenzhen. Adults who want to be vaccinated with hepatitis B, bivalent and tetravalent HPV vaccines can go to the community clinics for consultation.
Healthy elderly people who are aged 60 or above, have Shenzhen hukou or are covered by the city’s basic health insurance can receive free flu vaccines at community clinics, according to the Shenzhen CDC.
Influenza is an acute infectious disease caused by influenza viruses and getting a flu vaccine each year is an effective way to prevent the flu. Citizens can be vaccinated between October and March of the following year. Only one shot is needed.