India’s Adult Flu Vaccination Gap Comes Into Focus as Immunisation Week Pushes Prevention

India is putting renewed attention on adult influenza vaccination as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Abbott observe Indian Immunisation Week from September 21 to 27, 2026. The initiative focuses on improving awareness about annual flu vaccination and addressing uncertainty around when vaccination can be given after fever or illness.

The campaign comes against a backdrop of low adult immunisation uptake in India. Data cited by the initiative from the National Sample Survey indicate that only 1.98% of adults aged 18 and above had received adult vaccines, while coverage among people aged 60 and above was 0.40%.

Why influenza vaccination matters

Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that can range from mild illness to severe disease requiring hospitalisation. WHO identifies older adults, pregnant women, young children, people with certain chronic conditions and healthcare workers as groups that can face greater risks from influenza complications.

The virus also changes over time. WHO therefore updates influenza vaccine recommendations periodically to account for circulating viruses, and recommends annual vaccination for priority groups.

For India, the issue is particularly relevant because seasonal influenza and other influenza viruses have been reported across the country. WHO India says annual vaccination is recommended for protection against seasonal influenza.

The problem of delayed vaccination

One of the less visible barriers to vaccination is uncertainty about whether someone should receive a vaccine while experiencing or recovering from fever.

The IMA’s Indian Immunisation Week initiative includes expert-reviewed clinical guidance for healthcare professionals on influenza vaccination following acute febrile illness. The organisation says unnecessary postponement after an illness can become a barrier to timely immunisation, particularly among people who face a higher risk of complications.

This does not mean that everyone with a fever should automatically be vaccinated. Decisions can depend on the severity and nature of the illness, which is why the guidance is intended to support healthcare professionals in determining appropriate timing. Reports on the initiative say mild illness generally does not automatically require postponement, while vaccination may be deferred in people with more significant illness until recovery.

Who faces greater risk?

WHO recommends seasonal influenza vaccination particularly for health workers, older adults, pregnant people and individuals with chronic medical conditions, while children can also be prioritised depending on national circumstances and disease burden.

People with chronic heart, lung, kidney, liver or metabolic conditions can have a greater risk of severe influenza complications. Healthcare workers also face increased exposure because of their contact with patients.

For these groups, influenza prevention is not simply about avoiding several days of fever and cough. Reducing severe illness can also help limit hospitalisation and pressure on healthcare services during periods of increased transmission.

What the campaign highlights

Indian Immunisation Week is also addressing a broader issue: adult vaccination remains less visible in India’s preventive-health conversation than childhood immunisation.

The campaign’s focus on influenza provides an opportunity to bring adult vaccination into routine conversations between patients and healthcare professionals. It also highlights the importance of relying on medical guidance rather than postponing vaccination indefinitely because of uncertainty or information circulating online.

WHO describes vaccination as the best available tool for preventing influenza and reducing the risk of serious complications. However, protection varies between seasons and population groups, partly because influenza viruses continually evolve.

For India, the larger public-health challenge is therefore not simply making vaccines available. It is improving awareness, appropriate timing, access and uptake, particularly among groups that have a higher risk of severe disease.

This article is for public-health information and does not constitute individual medical advice. Vaccination decisions should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.