Important information on vaccination and precautions against flu risk in winter

With the onset of the winter season, there is an increase in respiratory illnesses. During this period, many people are unable to distinguish between a common cold-cough and influenza, also known as flu. According to a BBC report, this misunderstanding can prove risky as influenza can make some people severely ill and, due to negligence, may lead to hospitalisation.

Various types of flu vaccines are available to prevent this illness. Lung disease experts state that if flu occurs, taking a vaccine can reduce the risk of the illness becoming severe and the need for hospitalisation. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the influenza vaccine protects against flu and its serious complications.

Awareness regarding the flu vaccine is gradually increasing in India. Dr. Surendra, a lung disease specialist from Visakhapatnam, states that this vaccine is specifically administered to those who are at a higher risk of falling seriously ill. This includes young children with weak immunity and people suffering from long-term illnesses such as serious heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. According to Dr. Surendra, the monsoon and winter seasons can be difficult for people with heart and lung diseases, and if they contract influenza, their condition can become critical.

Dr. Fiona Nili, a health security advisor to the UK Health Security Agency, told the BBC that, besides young children, people with asthma, other lung diseases, and heart, liver, or kidney problems face a higher risk of increased complications and hospitalisation due to flu. In Britain and America, free flu vaccines are provided by the government to certain such groups. In Britain, flu vaccination begins even before the onset of winter, where free vaccines are provided to students, pregnant women, and people aged over 65.

According to the US CDC, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issues advice related to the flu vaccine for every season. The website of the Government of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare states that pentavalent vaccines are provided free of charge to children. According to the website's information, this vaccine is administered to children aged 6 weeks to 1 year. The pentavalent vaccine protects children from five serious diseases, which include diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).

According to the government, there is a risk of pneumonia, meningitis, liver failure, and serious respiratory problems due to these diseases. In some cases, these can even be fatal. The risk is higher in children under 5 years of age, so the government advises vaccinating children according to the scheduled time.

People also have the question in their minds whether the flu vaccine is effective against new strains of the virus. Doctors say that the form of the flu virus continues to change over time. Keeping these changes in mind, changes are also made to the vaccine as per the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Influenza viruses are constantly changing, so experts have to predict in advance which form of the virus might spread in the upcoming season. The World Health Organization made an important announcement regarding this in February 2026 and released the list of flu vaccines for the 2026-27 season. Due to constant changes in the virus, the World Health Organization reviews the vaccine list twice a year and prepares different vaccine lists for the northern and southern parts of the world.