The Zhongshan Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated that the first batch of influenza vaccines had arrived in Zhongshan at the end of August. Given the limited supply, only small-scale vaccinations can be carried out. It is expected that influenza vaccines will continue to arrive after the National Day holiday and vaccinations can be fully rolled out in all vaccination clinics in Zhongshan.

The influenza epidemic season in Southern China will last from September to next May, and the first influenza peak will be from December to next January.

Experts recommend to get vaccinated one month before the peak of influenza season because the antibodies can only be produced starting 2 weeks after vaccination.

Three groups of citizens will be prioritized to get vaccinated, including people at high risk of contracting the influenza, personnel working at crowded places, and medical staff. Pregnant women can be vaccinated.

There is a risk that COVID-19 and respiratory infectious diseases such as the common influenza will overlap in autumn and winter this year. Influenza vaccinations can protect the recipients to some extent and reduce the pressures of epidemic prevention and control.