Concern is growing among citizens in the Eastern Province about the lack of sufficient amount of vaccine for the seasonal influenza virus at health centers in the province.

Health practitioners have attributed the shortage to the provision of large quantities of the vaccine to schools in the province, but are expecting the arrival of new batches of the vaccine from the Ministry of Health shortly after a request was sent to the Directorate of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province.

Authorities also noted that all suspected cases of swine flue have been transferred to approved government centers in the region for examination.

The Directorate of Health Affairs has declined to comment on the suspected cases, noting the ministry will announce any confirmed cases as soon as the results are available.

Meanwhile, visitors to health centers have complained about the lack of vaccine after responding to messages urging them to go to their local health centers to receive the shot.

“While visiting one health care center in Al-Qatif, I was told the vaccine was not available due the fact that schools received large quantities, but that an announcement would be made once a fresh batch of vaccine was received from the ministry of health,” said Eid Abdul Jabbar.

“There is still no clarification as to whether my daughter is infected or not, and she is currently in isolation to avoid contagion because she has begun to exhibit some flu symptoms,” added one citizen, whose daughter is suspected of being infected with flu.

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