450,000 Flu Shots Distributed Throughout Iran

Some 450,000 influenza vaccines have been distributed throughout the country to tackle the seasonal epidemic, head of the Health Ministry’s Center for Infectious Disease Control, Shahnam Arshi, announced on Tuesday. 
Out of the 450,000 shots, nearly 250,000 have already been administered, the health official was quoted as saying by ISNA in a press conference. 
“Every year, 500,000 doses of influenza vaccines are supplied to medical centers and hospitals and 3-4 million are distributed among pharmacies,” Arshi added. 
Iran and many other countries in the northern hemisphere have faced an earlier than usual influenza season this year. With the government easing Covid-19 health protocols such as mandatory facemask wearing and social distancing, influenza viruses have found the chance to circulate in the country. 
Arshi pointed out, “Over the past two weeks, the percentage of influenza cases has remained unchanged.” 
He estimated that the influenza season will persist until early February. 
According to him, 40% of patients exhibiting symptoms of the common cold are infected with the influenza type A virus. 
“From the start of this year [March 21], 30 to 40 people have died from the flu,” Arshi stated. 
Among children under five years of age, one had so far died from the infectious disease. 
Responding to a question on the Covid-19 pandemic in Iran, the official said that the respiratory illness was on the decline. 
He nevertheless said that estimations suggested another peak could be on the horizon before the end of autumn. 
Based on the Health Ministry’s daily update, 91 new coronavirus patients were detected and 33 were hospitalized due to severity of symptoms. 
Over the past 24 hours, four more patients lost their lives to the virus, bringing the national toll to 144,604. 
Arshi concluded that Covid and influenza vaccination do not interfere with one another and recommended both, especially for the most vulnerable groups.