New flu vaccine guidelines put spotlight on India’s low coverage

New Delhi: Zydus Lifesciences Limited organised a health symposium in Bengaluru to bring together leading healthcare professionals and discuss the transition to the new influenza vaccination guidelines recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the Northern Hemisphere 2025–26 season.

Influenza continues to be a global health challenge, causing nearly 400,000 respiratory and 300,000 other deaths annually. While around 50% of people in the US and Europe receive seasonal flu shots each year, vaccination coverage in India remains below 1.5%. Despite India’s success with its Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in tackling childhood vaccine-preventable diseases, influenza vaccination remains a critical unmet need.

“Good health starts with prevention, and vaccines are central to reducing the burden of influenza,” said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences Limited. “Vaccination lowers infection spread, disease severity, and complications, especially among high-risk groups. At Zydus, we remain committed to advancing preventive healthcare through awareness and timely vaccination.”

Reflecting the WHO’s 2025–26 recommendations, the B/Yamagata antigen has been excluded from influenza vaccines due to its absence in global circulation since 2020. This update, already adopted by the CDC in the US, streamlines vaccine composition for greater efficacy. India’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has also advised adopting these latest strains to better address influenza and influenza-like illnesses, which disproportionately affect infants, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions.

In India, influenza occurs year-round with peaks during monsoon and winter. While routine testing and surveillance remain limited, estimates suggest the country records about 1.27 lakh influenza-related deaths annually, with nearly 65% among those over 65 years and 15–20% in children under five. Experts at the symposium stressed the urgent need for annual vaccination of target groups, guided by the most current circulating strains.