Flu Vaccination in India

The flu spreads mainly through droplets when an infected person talks, coughs, or sneezes. These droplets can land on nearby surfaces or be breathed in by people who are close by. The flu virus can also be spread by touching a surface contaminated with the virus and then touching one's nose, mouth, or eyes. It is important to wash hands regularly, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and avoid close contact with sick people to prevent the spread of flu. People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins, and may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick.

The symptoms of flu can vary, but they usually include:
•    Sudden onset of fever and chills
•    Cough
•    Sore throat
•    Runny or stuffy nose
•    Muscle or body ache
•    Headache
•    Fatigue

Some people may also experience vomiting and diarrhoea, although this is more common in children than adults. It's important to note that not everyone with the flu will experience all these symptoms, and some people may have mild symptoms or none at all.

It can be difficult to differentiate between the flu and the common cold based solely on symptoms since they share many similarities. However, the flu is generally more severe and tends to come on suddenly, while the common cold typically develops gradually.
Some of the common symptoms of the flu, that are less commonly associated with a cold, include high fever, body aches, and fatigue. Additionally, the flu may cause more severe complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus infections. If you are unsure whether you have the flu or a cold, it is best to consult a Doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Unlike common cold, flu is a serious disease that can lead to complications and even death, particularly in certain groups. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. It's important to take the flu seriously and take measures to prevent its spread and protect those who are most vulnerable.

All individuals have the risk of getting the flu. However, certain groups of people are at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu.

These groups include:

·         Young children, especially those under the age of 5

·         Adults over the age of 65

·         Pregnant women

·         People with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease, CKD, etc.

·         People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing cancer treatment or taking immunosuppressant drugs

·         Healthcare workers and caregivers who come into contact with flu patients

·         People living in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

The best way to prevent flu is to get an Annual flu shot. Recommended by national and international health experts, vaccination is the most effective way to prevent flu and control its spread.

Some other preventive measures include:

·         Avoid close contact with sick people

·         Cover your nose and mouth with a mask

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

·          Work from home or take a leave from school if you are sick and avoid contact with others to reduce spread of the virus

The flu vaccine is safe and effective. The flu vaccine undergoes rigorous testing and approval processes by regulatory authorities before being made available to the public. The quadrivalent flu vaccine, available in India, is approved in more than 100 countries and taken by millions of people around the globe every year. Like all vaccines, it may cause some side effects, such as soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and aches. These side effects are usually mild and go away within a day or two. However, serious side effects are rare. It is important to note that getting the flu vaccine is much safer than getting the flu itself, which can lead to severe illness, complications and even hospitalization. 

The flu vaccine can provide several benefits for healthy individuals:
•    Reduce sickness and isolation: Protection against the flu from currently circulating strains reduces the likelihood of getting sick and missing out on planned events or important schedules. This also allows individuals to spend more time with their loved ones and family members
•    Cost savings: Flu Vaccination helps to reduce healthcare costs by avoiding medical visits, hospitalization, reducing use of antibiotics, and other expenses associated with treating the flu or its complications
•    Improved productivity: Flu vaccination can help individuals to stay healthy and avoid missing out on work/ school
•    Extend protection to vulnerable individuals: Healthy individuals are less likely to spread the virus to others
•    Reduced severity of illness: Even if the healthy individual does get sick with the flu after getting vaccinated, they are less likely to experience complications or require hospitalization
•    Avoid isolation: Reduce likelihood of missing out from planned events/ important schedule and spend time with their loved ones/families

Getting an annual flu shot is a wise decision for everyone.

The flu virus changes constantly, and the vaccine is updated annually to provide protection against the most common strains of the virus for that flu season. Additionally, immunity from the vaccine wanes over time, so getting a flu shot every year is important for maintaining protection.
Yes, the flu vaccination is a cost-effective way to prevent the disease. The cost of the vaccine is relatively low compared to the cost of treating the flu or its complications, such as hospitalization and lost productivity. Additionally, the vaccine can help prevent the spread of the flu, which can also reduce the overall economic burden of the disease. 

The influenza vaccine cannot cause influenza as it only contains killed virus fragments or a part of the virus. Influenza-like symptoms such as mild fever and muscle aches may occur in less than 1% of people after vaccination, but they are not the same as having the actual disease.

You can get the flu vaccination by making an appointment with your doctor. Alternatively, you can schedule an appointment at your nearest INVC Vaccination centre or request a home visit by the INVC Vaccination team to receive the vaccine at your convenience.