Have you taken FLU SHOT this season? (UPDATE 2020)

Get vaccinated against preventable diseases like influenza and pneumonia!

Influenza and pneumonia vaccines are available since many years which prevents deadly infections of various pneumococcal bacteria strains and influenza viruses. This update is summary of latest recommendation by expert group for vaccination in INDIA.

What is Vaccination?

Vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases, before they come into contact with them. It uses your body’s natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger.

Influenza Vaccination in India

Vaccination is an indispensable preventive strategy against influenza and is suitable for all adults. It is specifically needed for individuals who live with or care for high-risk individuals, including:

• Older adults (> 50 years)
• Pregnant women
• Children
• Individuals with chronic medical conditions

Use of quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine over trivalent IIV in developing nations such as India is recommended.

Influenza vaccination in individuals with egg allergy or previous history of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS):
Inform your doctor about your allergic reaction or GBS history so that, based on clinical assessment, an appropriate decision for or against influenza vaccination can be made.

Pneumococcal Vaccination in India

Adults Aged 19–64 Years

• Healthy adults under 65 years:
  Pneumococcal vaccination is usually not recommended.
• Immunocompetent adults with chronic conditions such as:
  • Chronic heart disease
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Current smokers
  • Alcohol abuse

  A single dose of PCV13 followed by PPSV23 ≥ 8 weeks later is recommended.

• Adults with:
  • History of invasive pneumococcal disease
  • Cochlear implants
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak
  • Impaired splenic function (anatomic asplenia or hyposplenism)
  • Sickle cell disease or other hemoglobinopathy
  • Functional asplenia or hyposplenism

  A single dose of PCV13 followed by PPSV23 ≥ 8 weeks later is recommended.

• Immunocompromised individuals such as those with:
  • HIV infection
  • Iatrogenic immunosuppression
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hematologic malignancy
  • Other solid tumor malignancies with or without metastasis
  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or solid-organ transplantation

  A single dose of PCV13 followed by PPSV23 ≥ 8 weeks later is recommended.

In pregnancy, there is no specific recommendation for pneumococcal vaccines due to lack of safety data.

Adults Aged 65 Years and Above

• Vaccination with PPSV23 is recommended for all adults aged 65 years and above.
• Those who fit into the above high-risk categories should receive PCV13 followed by PPSV23 ≥ 8 weeks later.