'Shot apt for India unavailable': ICMR pushes for any flu vaccine amid H1N1 surge

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended the use of the Northern Hemisphere flu vaccine in India due to its close match with the circulating strains of H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B viruses. The ICMR's surveillance data shows that the strains in India closely resemble those covered by the WHO-recommended vaccine for 2026-27. The vaccine is estimated to be 50-60% efficacious against serious symptoms and is recommended for specific groups such as children, pregnant women, and high-risk adults. The recommendation is based on year-round surveillance conducted through the ICMR-Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory network, in collaboration with the WHO National Influenza Centre at the National Institute of Virology, Pune. The surveillance data includes 73 sentinel sites across the country, with 3 H1N1, 52 H3N2, and 18 Influenza B strains identified. The samples were genetically analysed and found to be sensitive to the antiviral drug oseltamivir. The ICMR advises administering the Northern Hemisphere vaccine, but recommends using the Southern Hemisphere vaccine until the Northern Hemisphere formulation becomes available. This surge in H1N1 cases has coincided with the monsoon and post-monsoon influenza season, when respiratory infections tend to rise across the country. Delhi has recorded a high burden of H1N1 cases this year, with the surge sharpening attention on vaccine availability.