Health · Public Health & Disease · 13 hrs ago
Adult vaccination remains rare among older people in India
Adult vaccination remains uncommon in India, leaving many older people without protection against illnesses such as flu, pneumococcal disease and shingles.
A study of 4,998 people aged 60 and above in four Indian cities found that only 1.4% had received a flu vaccine.
Awareness was low, and many people were unwilling to pay, but uptake rose to 29.7% when shots were free at community health camps.
The need for better protection is significant: researchers estimated that flu caused 84,613 deaths among Indians aged 60 and above in 2021.
Studies cited by doctors suggest flu and pneumococcal vaccines can reduce severe illness and deaths, especially for older adults and people with chronic conditions.
Shingles can cause prolonged nerve pain, and a trial found an immune response to its vaccine in 85.7% of participants aged 50 and above.
Goa launched a 2026-2036 policy to expand vaccination across life, with influenza, pneumococcal and hepatitis B among its priorities.
Adult vaccination remains low among older people in India, leaving many without protection against influenza, pneumococcal disease and shingles.
A study of 4,998 people aged 60 and above in four cities found that only 1.4% had ever received an influenza vaccine.
The study found low awareness and willingness to pay, while uptake rose to 29.7% when vaccines were offered free at community health camps.
A separate estimate attributed 84,613 deaths in India in 2021 to influenza among people aged 60 and above.
Experts say vaccination can reduce severe illness and complications, and Goa has launched a policy to expand immunisation beyond childhood.
- Who
- Older people in India, particularly those aged 60 and above.
- What
- Adult vaccination remains low, including for influenza, pneumococcal disease and shingles.
- When
- Findings were reported ahead of World Immunisation Day on Nov. 10, 2026.
- Where
- India; the multicentre study covered Chennai, Ballabgarh, Kolkata and Pune.
- Why
- The sources point to poor awareness, low acceptance and cost as barriers to vaccination.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Influenza among Indians aged 60 and above was estimated to account for 5.3 million respiratory infections, 36,149 hospitalisations and 84,613 deaths.
An Indian phase-3 trial of the recombinant zoster vaccine reported an immune response in 85.7% of participants aged 50 and above.
A study estimated the influenza burden among Indians aged 60 and above and found an annual vaccination programme could be cost-effective under most assessed scenarios.
Goa launched its Life-course Immunisation Policy 2026-2036.
A study examined the cost-effectiveness of a single dose of PCV20 for older adults and people at higher risk.
The Times of India reported low adult vaccination rates ahead of World Immunisation Day.
- Study participants
- 4,998 people aged 60 and above
- Study locations
- Chennai, Ballabgarh, Kolkata and Pune
- Ever received influenza vaccine
- 1.4%
- Influenza burden in 2021
- 5.3 million respiratory infections; 36,149 hospitalisations; 84,613 deaths
- Free community health camps
- Influenza vaccine uptake rose to 29.7%
What people are saying
Influenza and pneumococcal infections cause a significant burden among older Indians, accounting for an estimated 1.2 lakh deaths annually.
India also needs to expand adult vaccination to cover shingles.