The Indian Medical Association (IMA), in collaboration with Abbott in India, has announced September 21 to 27 as Indian Immunisation Week to reinforce the importance of preventive healthcare and immunisation.
The nationwide initiative aims to raise awareness about annual influenza vaccination and equip healthcare professionals with guidance on vaccine administration, particularly when individuals are recovering from an illness or have had a fever (acute febrile illness).
Influenza, or flu, can cause health problems and lead to hospitalisation, particularly among people at higher risk. An annual flu vaccine can help reduce the risk of illness and offer protection for children, elderly people, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and healthcare professionals.
India’s first nationwide snapshot of adult immunisation, captured by the National Sample Survey (NSS), found that 1.98 per cent of adults aged 18 years and above have received adult vaccines, while coverage among those aged 60 years and older is 0.40 per cent. Low awareness continues to be a barrier to adult immunisation in India. According to a 2026 multi-city study, 19.7 per cent of adults aged 60 years and above were aware of influenza, while 1.4 per cent had ever been vaccinated against the infection.
Many people remain uncertain about whether they can be vaccinated while experiencing a fever or shortly after recovering from one. According to the IMA and Abbott, this confusion can lead to delays, missed vaccinations and reduced protection against vaccine-preventable diseases such as influenza.
To address this knowledge gap, an expert committee convened by the IMA reviewed available scientific evidence, as well as national and international immunisation recommendations, to develop guidance on vaccination in the context of fever.
The IMA has issued expert-reviewed clinical recommendations to help healthcare professionals determine when vaccination can be administered to individuals who are experiencing or recovering from a fever. The guidance has been released as part of Indian Immunisation Week, launched by the IMA with support from Abbott, and aims to address the misconception that can result in delayed or missed annual influenza vaccinations.
The recommendations state that vaccination should not be postponed indefinitely and encourage healthcare professionals to provide patients with a follow-up or vaccination date whenever temporary deferral is necessary. The guidance notes that a mild fever, in most cases, should not be a reason to delay vaccination. In cases of moderate to severe illness, vaccination may be deferred until the individual has recovered, helping ensure appropriate care and avoid confusion between illness symptoms and post-vaccination reactions.
“Many people miss or postpone influenza vaccination because of uncertainty about whether it is safe to get vaccinated during or after a fever,” said Dr. Anilkumar J. Nayak, National President, Indian Medical Association. “These recommendations offer a practical roadmap for healthcare professionals, helping ensure that vaccinations are given at the right time, particularly for those at higher risk of flu-related complications.”
The guidance is aimed at people who are more likely to experience serious flu-related complications, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, those with weakened immune systems and healthcare workers. Influenza vaccination is recommended at any stage of pregnancy and can help protect both the mother and baby.
Dr. Parag Sheth, Regional Medical Director, Abbott in India, said, “Prevention is one of the most effective ways to reduce the impact of seasonal influenza, particularly among those at higher risk of complications. Greater awareness and clear communication by doctors can help ensure that concerns around fever do not become a barrier to vaccination. By supporting this initiative, we aim to help doctors and patients make informed decisions that enable timely protection against influenza.”
Through Indian Immunisation Week, the Indian Medical Association, in collaboration with Abbott, aims to address misconceptions that contribute to vaccination delays and reinforce annual flu vaccination as an important step in protecting vulnerable populations and strengthening community health.
Envisioned as an annual national platform, the initiative seeks to advance adult immunisation awareness, promote preventive healthcare and foster greater understanding of the role vaccination plays in preventing disease and improving public health outcomes.