India's Elderly Face Vaccine Gap Amidst Rising Flu Deaths

Influenza is responsible for an estimated 1.2 lakh deaths in India each year, with a significant majority occurring in individuals aged 65 and older. Despite this, vaccination coverage among older adults remains critically low, with fewer than 2% receiving the influenza vaccine. Data indicates that tetanus-diphtheria, hepatitis B, and pneumococcal vaccination rates are also alarmingly low.

Experts emphasize that adult vaccination in India needs substantial improvement, likening it to an investment in preventing infections and hospitalizations. The low uptake is particularly concerning given that infections, such as pneumonia, are leading causes of hospitalisation for the elderly. Less than 1% of senior citizens have received a pneumococcal vaccine, which protects against a major cause of pneumonia.

As India's elderly population grows, with those aged 60 and above projected to double by 2050, the lack of unified national vaccination guidelines for older adults is a significant concern. Limited awareness, vaccine hesitancy, cost, and access barriers continue to hinder vaccination rates. Experts advocate for structured, India-specific guidelines to mitigate preventable illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.