Influenza

One of the biggest myths about flu or influenza is that it is the common cold. In reality, influenza is a serious contagious respiratory illness. Serious outcomes of influenza infection can result in hospitalization or death. Young children, pregnant women, older people, and those with certain health conditions are at a higher risk of getting influenza related complications. Hospitalization and death due to influenza occur mainly in high-risk groups.

India reported over 20,000 cases of influenza (H1N1) from 2018-2024¹

99% deaths in children under 5 suffering from influenza related lower respiratory tract infections are found in developing countries.²

The most effective way to prevent the disease is vaccination.²
For more than 60 years, safe and effective vaccines have been used against influenza. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics recommends an annual influenza vaccine above 6 months of age.³In 2024 WHO recommended a trivalent influenza vaccine to protect against three strains of influenza worldwide.⁴

In India, we have been striving to protect people against influenza. In fact, during the 2015 outbreak, we were one of the first organizations to cater to the demand for influenza vaccination by various state governments across the country.

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