Have you taken FLU SHOT this season? (UPDATE 2026)

Prevenar 20 (PCV20) is approved in India for adults aged 18+ to protect against pneumonia and invasive pneumococcal disease, particularly for those 50+ or with high-risk conditions like diabetes or chronic heart/lung diseases. It is administered as a single 0.5 mL intramuscular dose, often in the upper arm, and can be given alongside the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Target Population:Highly recommended for adults aged 50 and older. It is also recommended for individuals aged 18–49 with high-risk conditions (e.g., chronic heart, lung, or liver disease, diabetes, HIV, or immunosuppression).

Dosage:A single 0.5 mL dose is recommended for adults (18+), ensuring protection against 20 strains of pneumococcal bacteria.

Administration: It is administered via intramuscular (IM) injection, generally in the deltoid muscle of the upper arm.

Concomitant Administration: Prevenar 20 can be administered at the same time as the seasonal influenza vaccine

Contraindications: Do not take if you have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine or any other pneumococcal vaccine

Vaccine Location: As of early 2026, the vaccine is being rolled out in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Pune by Pfizer.

If you have already taken Prevenar 13 or Pneumovax 23 in past discuss with your doctor when do you need to take Prevenar 20. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to determine if this vaccine is suitable for your health needs.

India is updating its 2026-2027 seasonal influenza vaccine to combat a rapidly spreading, high-transmissibility H3N2 strain. Following WHO recommendations, the updated vaccine will better match circulating influenza strains to improve protection against severe illness, particularly for the elderly and high-risk groups. World Health Organization (WHO)

Strain Update: The vaccine is updated to counter a new variant of Influenza A (H3N2).
Availability: Major vaccine manufacturers are aligning production to ensure availability before peak winter transmission.
Vaccine Type: Commonly available options include quadrivalent vaccines (covering two A types—H1N1 & H3N2—and two B types) and new trivalent vaccines like Zydus's VaxiFlu.
Types Available in India: Options such as Influvac Tetra SH 2026 and Vaxigrip 2026 are/will be available. Latest recommendation by World Health Organization if for TRIVALENT vaccines
Target Group: The vaccine is highly recommended for the elderly, young children (above 6 months), and those with chronic medical conditions like diabetes or COPD
Administration: It is recommended to get the updated shot via a healthcare professional before the onset of the winter season.
Disclaimer: Influenza vaccines are updated annually. Consult your doctor for the most appropriate vaccine for your health condition.