The season is changing and it has triggered a rise in cases of seasonal flu as people struggle with cough, cold and fever. Influenza, also known as the ‘flu’, is a highly contagious respiratory illness.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), flu spreads easily through the air or when people touch contaminated surfaces. In most cases the disease is mild, with symptoms such as chills, fever and fatigue. It is noteworthy that it can also be spread through asymptomatic infections in people who do not even know they are sick.
Moreover, the flu can also result in serious complications, particularly in vulnerable people like young children, older persons, pregnant women and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease. The most common complication is pneumonia, typically caused by a secondary bacterial infection.
WHO maintains that flu viruses mutate very rapidly, and uncontrolled spread gives rise to many different strains, which fall into 2 main types affecting humans – influenza A and influenza B. Consequently, scientists monitor both seasonal and potentially pandemic flu strains. As new strains appear frequently, the seasonal flu vaccine usually changes each year and scientists determine how the virus has mutated and spread.
What are flu vaccines?
Every year, WHO recommends virus strains for inclusion in flu vaccines for each hemisphere. Different vaccines are developed, targeting 3 or 4 strains of the virus predicted to be most commonly circulating in the coming flu season.
Dr. Jayanta Thakuria, Director – Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Yatharth Super Speciality Hospitals, Faridabad told Financial Express.com that flu shots, primarily targeting influenza, are administered annually to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and patients with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure, renal failure, and asthma.
“These vaccinations are typically given at least one month prior to flu season, usually between April and June, to allow sufficient time for antibodies to develop,” Dr. Thakuria said.
‘Low awareness in India’
In India, awareness regarding flu vaccinations is low, resulting in less than 10 percent of those who need the vaccine actually receiving it, Dr. Thakuria explained.
“In contrast, many foreign countries incorporate flu shots into their routine healthcare protocols, guided by government health sector recommendations,” he told Financial Express.com.
Everyone 6 months and older in the United States, with rare exception, should get a flu vaccine every season, the Center of Disease Control and Prevention maintains.
In India, the usage of flu shots is relatively low compared to countries with high vaccination coverage, such as the United States or many European nations, Dr. Tushar Tayal, Consultant, Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram told Financial Express.com.
“Factors contributing to lower flu vaccination rates in India include lack of Public awareness about the importance of flu vaccination. Flu shots may not be widely available in rural areas, and they are typically offered at private healthcare facilities at a higher cost. This makes them less accessible for economically disadvantaged groups,” he revealed.
Also in India, official guidelines have not strongly promoted annual flu vaccination for the general population, which reduces public awareness, he said.
“In contrast, countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia have extensive national immunization programs that promote and subsidize flu vaccines. High-risk groups, including children, elderly people, and healthcare workers, are targeted for annual flu vaccination, often at no cost. Additionally, seasonal flu vaccine recommendations are a regular part of public health campaigns in these countries, which helps drive higher uptake,” he told Financial Express.com.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ankita Baidya, Consultant – Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi highlighted that currently, awareness of flu vaccines is steadily growing in India, and more people are inquiring about flu shots.
“However, compared to other countries, flu vaccines are still underutilized here. This gap is likely due to vaccine hesitancy and a lack of awareness. With the rise in infections, it’s even more important to promote flu vaccination, which not only helps prevent individual infections but also contributes to herd immunity, reducing the spread of infection in the community,” Dr. Baidya told Financial Express.com.
How flu vaccines work?
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.
According to CDC, seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season.
“Beginning again in 2024-2025, all flu vaccines in the United States will be “trivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against three different influenza viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and an influenza B/Victoria virus,” it stated.
Flu shots can play a critical role in reducing the burden of flu-like illnesses, Dr. Tayal informed Financial Express.com.
“Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the most common and severe influenza virus strains, reducing the risk of contracting the flu by boosting the immune response. Vaccination significantly lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths especially in high-risk groups like the elderly, children, and individuals with chronic diseases . High vaccination rates in a population also contribute to herd immunity, which helps protect individuals who may not respond well to the vaccine or are unable to get vaccinated,” Dr. Tayal emphasised.
What are the common symptoms of flu?
Common symptoms include:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhoea are more common in children than adults.
According to doctors, these symptoms can start showing in one or four days after infection and usually last around a week.
When should you get flu vaccines in India?
In India, the flu season typically peaks during the monsoon and winter months. However, doctors recommend that you should get the flu shot before the onset of the peak season to allow for maximum protection.
The best time to get vaccinated in the pre-monsoon period (April-May) but on the basis of the recommendation of your doctor you can get vaccinated even later in the year. Meanwhile, CDC maintains that everyone should get vaccinated by October.
Who should get vaccinated?
Here are individuals at high risk for flu complications and those who should consider getting the vaccines:
- Children under 5 years old
- Adults over 65 years old
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease, asthma, diabetes)
- Healthcare workers
Before getting vaccinated inform your doctors if you have had any recent health issues or allergies.