Spread festive cheer and not flu, this season
The festive season has begun, bringing with it much joy and hope. And as we enjoy these happy times, let’s not allow the strains of the flu to dampen the much-needed fun and frolic we all deserve. The best way to avoid getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine every year.
Recent reports of swine flu cases in North India and elsewhere is an indication that influenza vaccination needs to be a top priority for at-risk age groups as well as individuals from the business community, frequent travellers and most importantly, school-going children, with the reopening of schools.
The increased number of swine flu cases in the northern parts of India makes the need for administering flu vaccine an urgent one, since it also provides protection from swine flu. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that the Southern Hemisphere (SH) vaccine is the ideal vaccine for India.
Seasonal influenza may affect all age groups. Globally, the incidence is higher in young children and those above 65 years. Adults with co-morbidities such as COPD, diabetes, asthma are also at a high risk of complications due to flu. Vaccination is also important for healthcare workers and other people who live with or care for people at a higher risk, to keep from spreading flu to them.
Getting vaccinated early for subsequent seasons is likely to be associated with reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season, particularly among older adults, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Especially with the ongoing festive season, getting vaccinated for flu is even more crucial to avoid widespread infection. Hence, vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the SH flu season, even into September or later.
Dr Ashok Kumar Dutta, Emeritus consultant, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital and former director, professor and HOD, Paediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, says: “Protection from vaccination fades over time, so getting vaccinated at the right time is critical. Therefore, the method of preventing swine flu or influenza virus is to get an annual influenza shot.”
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recommended that Covid-19 and other vaccines should have an interval of at least 14 days. Also, people who have taken both doses of Covid-19 vaccine should take the flu shot after consulting their doctor and keeping a gap of at least 14 days.