Flu or ‘flu‘ as it is commonly called, caused a major global pandemic and resulted in uncountable deaths globally because it was a highly contagious infection affects both adults and children. Just one sneeze or cough is enough to start transmission, if droplets land on someone’s face, mouth or eyes, and in India, flu virus circulation peaks during the monsoon season, with the second peak during the winter months from November to February. .
Transmission can be prevented by following simple hygiene measures such as using face masks in crowded places and washing hands frequently as during the Covid-19 pandemic, due to the restrictions and guidelines of the Government. government, these measures were followed consistently leading to a reduction in flu cases. However, when restrictions are eased, people are back to their old habits, which led to an increase in flu cases last winter, so we need stronger protection against the spread of the virus. infection and this can be provided by annual vaccination endorsed by WHO.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr (Main) Rajesh Bhardwaj, Practo Consultant, emphasized: “Children between the ages of 2 and 6, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with Pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, asthma, pneumonia, or those undergoing long-term treatment such as cancer and dialysis are at higher risk of contracting the flu. For these people, getting a yearly flu shot before the seasonal virus hits becomes a priority.”
Talking about flu shots and why it’s important to get vaccinated every year, he said: “After two years of living with a pandemic, most of us are now well aware that respiratory viruses like Covid- 19 has the potential to mutate rapidly, affecting infection rate and severity. Likewise, flu viruses mutate every year, and new strains are introduced each flu season. Respiratory viruses are mostly winter viruses and are more contagious during the cold winter months. Flu vaccine manufacturers develop flu vaccines every year to protect against strains that are likely to predominate in any given year. These annual vaccines should be given every year to protect against common strains of influenza virus. Anyone over 6 months of age can safely get an annual flu shot. Children getting a flu vaccine for the first time may need two doses 4 weeks apart for optimal protection.”
“The most common flu vaccine available in India is the quadrivalent vaccine that protects against two strains of influenza A and B each,” he said. These vaccines provide nearly 60% protection against infection. Even if a vaccinated person gets an infection, the illness can be milder and recover faster. Getting the vaccine now will prevent a person from getting the flu this winter – it takes about two to three weeks before immunity from the vaccine kicks in.”
However, there is a certain reluctance to get the flu shot and despite the great demand, the coverage of the flu vaccine in India is low. (Major) Rajesh Bhardwaj explains, “There are concerns about the cost and side effects of vaccines. It is important to understand that although the flu looks like a simple infection, it can cause serious complications such as hospitalization and death, especially in children, the elderly, and people with HIV. Chronic diseases. Infection can also increase the risk of heart attack tenfold and stroke eightfold within a week afterward. Vaccines can prevent these complications and reduce health care costs. The flu vaccine is well researched and has no major side effects. Minor side effects include mild fever and body aches for 2 days; these are much less serious than the flu or its complications.”
Some people may believe they are protected from all respiratory infections after two shots of the Covid-19 vaccine. However, Dr (Major) Rajesh Bhardwaj says this is not true. “The flu is another viral infection that requires a different vaccine than the Covid-19 vaccine,” he said. It is safe for people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 to get the flu vaccine. So this winter be well prepared for the arrival of the flu. Your most effective protection is the annual flu vaccine. Since winter flu symptoms are the same as Covid-19, it can be difficult to tell the two apart, and getting the flu in winter will lower your immunity and make you more susceptible to Covid-19 (especially for vulnerable elderly). So stay healthy and stay safe for the sake of yourself and your loved ones.”
