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Though flu infection is present throughout the year in India, the number of cases increases starting from the Monsoon season, till almost the end of February. While many people get better after they get infected with the influenza virus, some people may also suffer from health-related complications. This is particularly true for people who have chronic health conditions and some other vulnerable groups, like pregnant women, children below the age of 5 years, and adults above the age of 65 years.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the flu vaccine is more relevant than ever before this year. There is a hypothesis that flu vaccination may prevent COVID-19 related complications. To prevent the double burden of being infected with two respiratory infections at the same time, getting vaccinated for the flu is the best path forward.
Here are the answers to a few of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about flu vaccinations.
Q. What are the benefits of getting the flu vaccine?
Q. How many viruses does the flu vaccine fight against?
The vaccine gives protection against 2 types of viruses i.e. – Influenza type-A and type-B.
Q. Is the flu vaccine safe?
Flu vaccines are safe. The viruses used in vaccines are inactivated (“killed”) or weakened and cannot cause influenza anymore.
Q. What is the timeline for the flu vaccination drive?
The current Flu vaccination drive is from September 2021 to December 2021.
Q. Which age groups can take the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine can be given to people who are at least 6 months of age and above.
Note: Prescription by a paediatrician is mandatory for children below the age of 9 years. It may be noted that in case a patient does not have a prescription, our partners at Portea can assist them with the same via telephonic consultation with a paediatrician.
Charges: The charge for the same is INR 499/- per consultation (The amount will be collected by Portea directly from the patient). The prescription needs to be taken before scheduling the vaccine.
Q. What are the possible symptoms/side effects post-vaccination for various age groups?
Q. What if I suffer allergic reactions/pain post-vaccination?
Please consult your doctor immediately.
Q. Is the consent form mandatory?
Yes, every patient is required to sign a consent form.
Q. What is the efficacy of the vaccine?
Q. Where, how and when can I get the flu vaccine?
Q. How to book my Flu Vaccination appointment?
Q. When will my appointment be confirmed?
Our service partner will confirm the appointment on the same day of booking.
Q. What if my city or location is non-serviceable or not available?
In such cases, the ekincare app will ask you to fill out a form with your details and our customer support team will connect with you to help. You may also write to us at help@ekincare.com
Q. What happens after my booking is confirmed?
Q. Can I reschedule/cancel my vaccination appointment?
Q. What happens if I am not eligible for the flu vaccine as per the consent form guidelines?
Our service partner’s nursing staff/technician may require you to consult with your doctor regarding the issues that cause ineligibility for the vaccine. Once your doctor gives the go-ahead, our service partner team will proceed with the vaccination.
Q. What if the nursing staff/technician does not visit on schedule?
You can reach out to our customer support team, or write to help@ekincare.com. We shall try to expedite the vaccination during the same time slot or reschedule your appointment to the next feasible date.
Q. Are my dependents sponsored for flu vaccination?
Your company’s HR manager will share the details about which dependents are sponsored for flu vaccination.
Q. Can I book the appointment for my non-sponsored dependents?
Yes, you can.
Q. Can the flu vaccine be taken alongside other vaccines (eg. COVID vaccine)?
Kindly note that a minimum interval of 14 days is recommended between taking the COVID-19 vaccine and any other vaccine.
Q. What is the type of vaccine used for flu vaccination? Who is the manufacturer?
The flu vaccine used is a quadrivalent flu vaccine (FluQuadri), manufactured by Sanofi.
Q. What are the strains covered in the vaccine used for flu vaccination?
The strains covered in FluQuadri 0.5 ml vaccine are 2 subtypes of type-A and 2 subtypes of type-B virus:
Q. Can the flu vaccine provide any protection against COVID?
No, the flu vaccine will only protect against specific Influenza viruses.
Q. Why should we still get the flu shot, even though it won't directly protect us from the Coronavirus?
Q. Is it possible to get the flu and the coronavirus at the same time?
Yes, it is possible to test positive for flu (as well as other respiratory infections) and COVID-19 at the same time.
Q. Do I really need a flu vaccine every year?
Yes. There are two primary reasons for getting a flu vaccine every year:
Q. Are COVID and Influenza similar?
No, COVID and Influenza are caused by two different categories of viruses.
Q. Could higher flu vaccination rates help expose new viruses like COVID-19?
Q. How can employees reach out to Portea? Is there a contact number or a link on the platform?
Employees can reach out to ekincare in case of any questions or assistance regarding flu vaccination.
Q. If there is a cancellation on non-sponsored vaccines, when will the refund be processed?
The refund will be processed within 3-4 working days.
For all other queries, reach out to our customer support team, or write to help@ekincare.com
Have even more questions? Check out our webinar on flu vaccination.