Influenza in India: Delhi-NCR Spike Claim and Data
Why in the news
Newspapers reported a 54% rise in influenza in Delhi-NCR, but the figure came from a survey on viral illness symptoms, not clinical testing, and covered Covid, flu and viral fever together.
Key facts
- LocalCircle survey: 13,000 people.
- NCDC’s IDSP data (27 February 2025): 516 cases, 6 deaths in January 2025.
- 2024 national tally: 20,414 cases and 347 deaths.
- Flu peaks in the monsoon with a secondary winter peak; missing monthly history makes comparisons hard.
Burden
- Surveillance for 2016-2018: influenza caused 15.4% of ARI and 12.7% of SARI cases.
- A 2020 study estimated 1,27,092 flu deaths a year, highest among people above 65 and children under five.
- Deaths are hard to count because of limited testing and rare certification of flu as a cause.
Vaccination
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| India’s 2018 health ministry guidance | ‘Recommended’ for pregnant women, children, and adults with chronic illness; only ‘desirable’ for over-65s and under-fives |
| WHO 2025-26 composition | Announced 28 February 2025 |
| US (as of 15 February 2025) | 57 million adults and 47% of children vaccinated |
| India | Uptake below 5% |
Market and production
- Sanofi: India’s flu vaccine market grew 21% in 2025 over 2024.
- Most vaccines, including Serum Institute’s, are egg-based; Serum makes 3-4 lakh doses, scalable to 1 million.
Concerns and way forward
- Low coverage reflects poor awareness, limited diagnosis and exclusion from the universal immunisation programme.
- Experts want awareness drives, healthcare worker vaccination and targeted shots for vulnerable groups.
Exam angle
- Terms: IDSP, NCDC, ARI, SARI.
- Flu is not part of the universal immunisation programme.