430 influenza cases alone till July this year in Tamil Nadu

The State is witnessing a spurt in influenza cases by the year, with three fatalities and around 430 cases witnessed until this month alone in the year, medical experts in the city said, while discussing the need for effective public awareness and vaccination drive for the same at the launch of the campaign ‘Mothers against Influenza’ here.

While the NCDS estimates that influenza cases over the years has increased five-fold in 2019 in the country, Tamil Nadu recorded three deaths and 429 cases until July 21 this year. At least 2,800 cases were recorded in 2018. The number of fatalities has also increased, with more number of deaths observed among children. Doctors stress that vaccination can prove most effective in children. “Infection rates among children are generally the highest of any age group during typical influenza seasons, averaging 25–43%. If at least 50% of children are vaccinated, then the epidemic can be contained and the burden reduced. The best time to get vaccinated is before the monsoon, i.e. in August, in Tamil Nadu,” said Dr Priya Chandrasekhar, consultant at Apollo Children’s Hospital. Dr Abraham Palache, an expert in influenza vaccinology, said, “Influenza vaccines reduce the annual burden of influenza associated disease, hospitalisations and deaths, and the WHO classifies inactivated influenza vaccines as ‘excellent safety’”.