Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. has introduced its trivalent influenza vaccine, VaxiFlu™, in India, aligning with the latest WHO recommendations for the Northern Hemisphere 2025–26 season.
The vaccine includes the WHO-recommended strains:
A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
Seasonal influenza viruses evolve quickly, requiring annual vaccine updates. Since March 2020, the B/Yamagata lineage has not been detected globally, leading WHO, CDC, and NCDC (India) to recommend removing B/Yamagata from vaccine formulations. Nearly 40 countries, including the US, have already shifted to trivalent vaccines.
Dr. Parvaiz Koul, FRCP (London), FERS, emphasized that influenza vaccination remains the most effective preventive strategy. He highlighted that including B/Yamagata is unnecessary, as it has not circulated in the past five years.
Dr. Sharvil Patel, MD of Zydus Lifesciences, noted that vaccines are essential to preventive healthcare, reducing the burden of infectious diseases and protecting high-risk groups.
Formulation: Trivalent Influenza Vaccine (TIV)
Age Group: Recommended for individuals 6 months and above
Protection: Based on the latest WHO surveillance and strain selection, ensuring precise seasonal protection