The season is changing and this has triggered an increase in cases of seasonal flu as people battle coughs, colds and fevers. Influenza, also known as “flu”, is a highly contagious respiratory illness.

According to the world Health According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza is easily spread through the air or when people touch contaminated surfaces. In most cases, the illness is mild and presents with symptoms such as chills, fever and fatigue. It should be noted that it can also be spread through asymptomatic infections in people who do not even know they are sick.

Additionally, the flu can also cause serious complications, especially in vulnerable people like young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. The most common complication is pneumonia, usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection.

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The WHO maintains that influenza viruses mutate very quickly and uncontrolled spread gives rise to many different strains, which fall into two main types affecting humans: influenza A and influenza B. Therefore, influenza viruses Scientists are monitoring both seasonal and potentially pandemic flu strains. Because new strains emerge frequently, the seasonal flu vaccine usually changes each year and scientists determine how the virus mutated and spread.

What are flu vaccines?

Each year, the WHO recommends the inclusion of viral strains in influenza vaccines for each hemisphere. Different vaccines are being developed, targeting 3 or 4 strains of the virus that are expected to circulate most often during the next flu season.

Dr Jayanta Thakuria, Director – Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Yatharth Super Specialty Hospitals, Faridabad, told Financial Express.com that flu vaccines, primarily targeting influenza, are administered to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, every year and patients with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstruction. lung disease (COPD), heart failure, kidney failure and asthma.

“These vaccines are usually given at least a month before the flu season, usually between April and June, to allow enough time for the antibodies to develop,” Dr. Thakuria said.

“Low awareness in India”

In Indiaawareness of flu vaccination is low, resulting in fewer than 10 percent of those who need the vaccine actually receiving it, Dr. Thakuria explained.

“In contrast, many foreign countries are incorporating the flu vaccine into their routine health care protocols, guided by government health sector recommendations,” he said. Financial Express.com.

In the United States, everyone aged 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu vaccine every season, says the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

In India, the use of flu vaccines is relatively low compared to countries with high vaccination coverage, such as the United States or many European countries, said Dr. Tushar Tayal, consultant in internal medicine at the hospital. CK Birla, Gurugram. Financial Express.com.

“Factors contributing to declining flu vaccination rates in India include lack of public awareness about the importance of flu vaccination. Flu vaccines may not be widely available in rural areas, and they are usually offered in private health facilities at a higher cost. This makes them less accessible to economically disadvantaged groups,” he revealed.

In India also, official guidelines have not strongly encouraged annual flu vaccination for the general population, reducing public awareness, he said.

“In contrast, countries like the United States, Canada and Australia have large national immunization programs that promote and subsidize influenza vaccines. High-risk groups, including children, the elderly and healthcare workers, are targeted for annual flu vaccination, often free of charge. Additionally, seasonal flu vaccine recommendations are a regular part of public health campaigns in these countries, helping to increase uptake,” he said. Financial Express.com.

Meanwhile, Dr Ankita Baidya, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Manipal Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi, highlighted that currently, awareness about flu vaccines is growing in India and more and more people are getting provide information about flu vaccines.

“However, compared to other countries, flu vaccines are still underutilized here. This gap is likely due to vaccine hesitancy and lack of awareness. With infections on the rise, it is even more important to promote influenza vaccination, which not only helps prevent individual infections, but also contributes to herd immunity, thereby reducing the spread of infection in the community said Dr. Baidya. Financial Express.com.

How do flu vaccines work?

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against the flu.

According to the CDC, seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the flu viruses that research shows will be most common during the upcoming season.

“Starting in 2024-2025, all influenza vaccines in the United States will be “trivalent” vaccines, meaning they protect against three different influenza viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A virus (H3N2) and an influenza A(H3N2) virus. influenza B/Victoria virus,” he says.

Influenza vaccines can play a vital role in reducing the burden of influenza-like illnesses, informed Dr. Tayal. Financial Express.com.

“Flu vaccines are designed to protect against the most common and severe strains of the flu virus, reducing the risk of getting the flu by boosting the immune response. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalizations and death, especially in high-risk groups such as the elderly, children and people with chronic illnesses. High vaccination rates in a population also contribute to herd immunity, which helps protect people who may not respond well to the vaccine or who cannot get vaccinated,” Dr. Tayal emphasized.

What are common symptoms of the flu?

Common symptoms include:

• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body pain
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than adults.

According to doctors, these symptoms may begin to appear one to four days after infection and usually last for about a week.

When should you get the flu vaccine in India?

In India, the flu season usually peaks during the monsoon and winter months. However, doctors recommend getting your flu vaccine before the peak season begins to allow for maximum protection.

The best time to get vaccinated is before the monsoon (April-May), but based on your doctor’s recommendations, you can get vaccinated even later in the year. Meanwhile, the CDC maintains that everyone should get vaccinated by October.

Who should be vaccinated?

Here are people at high risk of flu complications and those who should consider getting vaccinated:

• Children under 5 years old
• Adults over 65
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic health conditions (e.g. heart disease, asthma, diabetes)
• Healthcare workers

Before getting vaccinated, tell your doctor if you have recently had any health problems or allergies.