Not a Covid shield, but flu shot can help: Docs

NEW DELHI: Amid the pandemic, doctors and experts are advising people of all ages to take a flu shot as a primary protection against other respiratory viral illnesses like common seasonal flu and H1N1 — some of which can cause pneumonia and make people vulnerable to coronavirus.


Influenza or flu is a viral disease caused by influenza viruses. It affects the respiratory system and causes symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, tiredness, muscle pain and runny nose. Pneumonia is one of the complications of the flu, along with sinus and ear infections which are common among infants and elderly. A flu shot, emphasise experts, is no protection against Covid-19 but will work to reduce illnesses that often have similar symptoms.

“Unfortunately, vaccination against flu has not been or popular in our country. Now is the time to relook at and popularise this vaccine against the flu virus,” said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Hospitals.

Flu vaccines — common in the West — are usually not very effective as they need to match particular strains that keep changing almost every year. The shots have to be taken yearly since the flu virus changes its genetic material.

But experts said that in the current scenario, it was worth it because it could reduce hospitalisation and deaths among the vulnerable sections from severe pneumonia and other illnesses.