Seasonal flu vaccines in short supply

Vaccines for seasonal flu are in short supply because production has dropped amid high demand for the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said Saturday.

Domestic drug makers are expected to supply enough vaccine for the seasonal flu to treat about 45.04 million adults, or 80 percent of last year's total, the ministry said.

But many hospitals are reporting that more people than usual are seeking inoculations.

Eiji Kuzumi, director of Navitas Clinic Tachikawa in western Tokyo, said there have been 20 percent to 30 percent more flu jab requests than usual since October.