Flu Is More Than Just a Cold.
Protect Your Family This Season.
Influenza hospitalises thousands of children in India each year. A simple annual shot — administered at your home — gives your family season-long protection. No clinic, no waiting room.
Influenza Is Not Ordinary Cold
Influenza (flu) is a respiratory infection caused by influenza A or B viruses. Unlike the common cold, flu has a sudden onset — fever above 39°C, body aches, chills, dry cough, and extreme fatigue that can knock a child off school for a week or more.
In young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and anyone with a chronic condition (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), flu can escalate rapidly to pneumonia, febrile seizures, or secondary bacterial infections requiring hospitalisation.
The virus mutates every year. This is why annual vaccination is the only effective strategy — not prior infection, not last year's shot.
High fever, fast
39–40°C fever within hours — not the gradual onset of a cold
New strain every year
WHO updates the vaccine formula annually based on global surveillance
Leading cause of child hospitalisations
Influenza and its complications are among the top reasons children under 5 are admitted
Protects baby too
Vaccinating a pregnant mother passes antibodies to the newborn for the first 6 months
Who Should Get the Flu Shot
IAP and WHO recommend annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. Certain groups are highest priority.
Children 6 months – 5 years
Highest hospitalisation risk. First-time vaccinees need 2 doses, 4 weeks apart.
School-going children
Schools amplify transmission. Protecting one child protects the classroom.
Pregnant women (any trimester)
Actively recommended. Also protects newborn for first 6 months.
Adults 60 years and above
Aging immune systems = higher severity. Annual shot strongly advised.
Chronic disease patients
Asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease — flu complications are more severe.
Healthcare workers & caregivers
Protects the vulnerable patients and family members they interact with daily.
“I see children every winter who are badly affected by flu — and it was entirely preventable. Parents often tell me they assumed flu was 'just a cold' and vaccination wasn't necessary. The annual flu shot takes 20 minutes at home. The alternative can be a week in hospital. I know which I'd choose for my own child.”
— Dr. Gagan M.S. Malhotra, Founder & Senior Paediatrician
IAP EB Member · IAP Vaccinology Certified · 23 years in practice
Common Questions
Why do I need a flu shot every year?
The influenza virus mutates rapidly. WHO monitors circulating strains globally and updates the vaccine composition each year. Last year's shot may not protect against this season's strains — annual vaccination is essential.
When is the best time to get the flu shot?
In India, the ideal window is September–November, before the winter flu season peaks. However, the vaccine is beneficial anytime — getting it late is better than not getting it.
Can infants get the flu vaccine?
Yes, from 6 months of age. Children under 9 years getting vaccinated for the first time need 2 doses, 4 weeks apart. One dose annually from the following year.
Normal vs quadrivalent — which should I choose?
We recommend the quadrivalent (4-strain) vaccine for all ages. It covers 2 influenza A and 2 influenza B strains vs the 3-strain trivalent, offering broader protection for minimal extra cost.
Is the flu shot safe during pregnancy?
Yes — it is actively recommended during pregnancy. Maternal vaccination also provides protection to the newborn for the first months of life before they can be vaccinated themselves.
Book Your Annual Flu Shot at Home
Quadrivalent vaccine. Certified nurse. Cold-chain verified. Paediatrician consultation included. Delhi NCR.