According to past surveillance data, the activity of seasonal influenza usually peaked between January and March/April whereas another peak during July to August could also be observed. To protect yourself and your family and friends, it is advised to get vaccinated early!

Given that seasonal influenza vaccines can safely and effectively prevent influenza and its complications, individuals aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications to the vaccine, should receive one dose of seasonal influenza vaccination annually for personal protection. For children aged between 6 months to under 9 years old who have never received this vaccine, it is recommended that they receive two doses of the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Influenza viruses continually evolve with new virus strains emerging unpredictably, and the vaccine composition is updated every year based on the circulating influenza virus strains. According to the data from the World Health Organization, when the vaccine strains closely match with the circulating influenza viruses, the efficacy of the vaccine typically ranges from 70% to 90% in individuals aged under 65 years old. Therefore, it is advised to get vaccinated against influenza annually to effectively prevent influenza.  Upon vaccination, it usually takes around two weeks for the body to develop sufficient antibodies to provide protection against the virus. It is recommended to get vaccinated at least two weeks before the start of the influenza season in order to be adequately protected during the flu season.

Please consult your family doctor if you have any questions about receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (Egg-Based) contains the following strains:

• an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
• an A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus
• a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus