India is currently witnessing a significant rise in influenza infection across the country. According to the integrated health information platform, India has seen a large number of cases of acute respiratory illness or influenza-like illness from January 2023 onwards, amounting to nearly one million. Over 3000 laboratory-confirmed cases of various influenza subtypes were also reported during this period.
To tackle this public health challenge, influenza vaccines remain the safest and most effective option available, with the benefits of prevention outweighing potential complications of illness later. In fact annual influenza vaccination is the most safe and effective strategy to avoid infection, reducing risk of flu-related complications by 70% to 90%.As seasonal influenza poses a public health concern, it is important to take measures to address India’s flu burden. With the aim to raise awareness about influenza prevention, global healthcare leader Abbott hosted a roundtable in Chennai to educate people on how to protect themselves, their families, and the community against infection.
In this regard, please find attached an information note ‘Experts Highlight the Need to Protect Against the Rising Influenza Burden in India’ with insights from key medical experts addressing the rise in Influenza cases and on preventive measures to ensure greater protection against influenza across the population.
