A Jab in time: On India and Vaccination against Flu

A Jab in time: On India and Vaccination against Flu

TribecaCare
8th Apr 2025

India must push for Vaccination against the Flu for the Elderly

“With recent reports indicating a rise in the seasonal influenza cases in the Delhi-NCR area, it is once again time to issue a cautionary note and make a renewed effort to push adult vaccination in the country.

The predominant strains involved this season are Influenza A and Influenza B, many treating physicians and pulmonologists have reported. Influenza, with the moniker flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. While it is routinely conflated with the common cold, since the symptoms present similarly — sudden cough and sore throat, with high fever, accompanied by muscle pain, body aches, headaches, fatigue and stuffy nose — it is not quite the same. Both are caused by different viruses and can have varying symptoms and severity. The flu causes mild to serious illness, requiring hospitalisation sometimes, and in a few cases, mostly coinciding with a delay in hospitalisation, can even lead to death.

In India, there are two peaks of seasonal influenza, one from January to March and the other in the latter part of the southwest monsoon, in August-October. India has developed a near real time surveillance of cases of Influenza like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARI) presenting themselves in health facilities. This programme was further strengthened and made more robust during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

There is also real time surveillance through the country-wide network of diagnostic laboratories. Epidemiologists say influenza surveillance is a key tool to keep tabs on circulating strains, and define seasonality, besides, playing an important role in syncing vaccination with relevant circulating strains. With all this information in place, it is highly unlikely that health managers will miss any seasonal uptick of cases.

However, the task at hand for governments is a little more complex — it is about being prepared to handle the outbreak by anticipating it and inculcating a sense of preservation, particularly among the high-risk groups ranging on the extremes of the age spectrum. Attention should be paid to children, senior citizens and people with chronic respiratory conditions. Key among the interventions recommended is increasing awareness on vaccination for influenza; in fact, people of all ages will benefit from a periodic shot of the updated flu vaccine.

While vaccination for children is, by and large, acceptable, and an area of focus for all health managers, adult immunisation gets the short shrift. At the moment, it is left to the whims and resources of State governments to offer adult vaccinations. Targeted awareness campaigns must be clear, urgent in tone, and make an impact on the high-risk groups particularly, because, very simply, vaccines save lives”.

INVC – Indian Vaccination Centre at AIIMS, Delhi

https://invc.co.in/influenza-seasonal-flu-swine-flu/fluquadri-vaccination/delhi/aiims

INVC or India Vaccination Centre is one-of-its-kind and India’s first comprehensive Vaccination Service Provider. The facility offers guidelines-based Vaccination across age-group that includes little ones, teens, adults, pregnant women and seniors (>50 years).

The Facts below will help, when you ask your Doctor for advice, whether you live in Delhi or in other cities:

“Fluquadri 2025 is Influenza vaccine (seasonal flu & swine flu vaccine) by Sanofi.

Product type: Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine – Contains two A types (H1N1 & H3N2) and two B types (Victoria & Yamagata)

Disease prevented: Influenza (Seasonal flu & Swine flu)

Manufacturing company: Sanofi

Country of Origin: USA

Recommended for: For children above 6 months of age, for adults and seniors as an annual shot.

Directions for use: To be administered intramuscularly by a trained healthcare professional. Kindly do not self-administer.

FAQs about Fluquadri 2025 vaccination in AIIMS, Delhi

What are the benefits of Fluquadri vaccination?

Fluquadri is indicated for the prevention of seasonal flu and swine flu.

What is the recommended dosing schedule for Fluquadri vaccination?

For children between 6 months to 9 years of age:

Children who have not previously been vaccinated against influenza, two doses should be given at an interval of at least 4 weeks.

Children who have been vaccinated against influenza earlier, a single dose is recommended every year.

For children above 9 years of age, adults and seniors:

A single dose is recommended every year, preferably before the start of the flu season.

How is Fluquadri vaccine administered?

Fluquadri is administered as an intramuscular injection in the deltoid region of the arm or anterolateral region of the thigh by a trained healthcare professional. Do not self-inject the vaccine.

Are there any side effects associated with Fluquadri vaccination?

Fluquadri is generally well tolerated. General side-effects include mild pain and redness at injection site which is transient and self resolves within a few days. Serious side effects are very rare.

Are there any contraindications for Fluquadri vaccination?

Fluquadri is contraindicated in cases which have had allergic reaction to any previous dose of the vaccine or to any component of the vaccine.

Is there any specific preparation needed before getting the Fluquadri vaccination?

Fluquadri vaccination can be taken at any time of the day, and there are no specific requirements such as fasting or post-meal administration.

What precautions should be observed after receiving the Fluquadri vaccine?

Fluquadri is generally well tolerated and does not disrupt your daily activities, including food, travel and medication use. However, if you have any concerns or specific health conditions, it’s advisable to discuss them with your healthcare provider before vaccination”.