Anna Popova, the head of Rospotrebnadzor, appeared on the Vesti program on the Russia 1 channel to address the public about the current vaccination landscape. She highlighted the importance of receiving a flu shot for all Russians who have not yet been vaccinated, stressing that immunization should happen promptly to reduce the impact of the upcoming season.
She emphasized that vaccination should occur without delay and noted that the window for booster protection remains open through the end of November. This timeline is presented as critical because the effectiveness of the flu vaccine peaks when administered before influenza activity becomes widespread, helping to limit the spread and severity of illness across communities.
Popova explained the urgency by pointing to weekly increases in cases of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) nationwide. The rising numbers in many regions underscore the need for broad vaccination coverage to curb transmission, protect vulnerable populations, and ease potential strain on healthcare systems as winter approaches.
She warned that without timely vaccination, the situation could worsen, potentially leading to greater numbers of illnesses and complications, even beyond seasonal expectations. The head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare underscored the potential for continued growth in case counts if preventive measures are not widely adopted, urging individuals to act now rather than later.
In a separate update, it was noted that Russians are not being offered a Covid-19 vaccine for this season, as some experts currently consider the risk of post-infection complications to have decreased. Nevertheless, Popova continued to advocate for flu vaccination as a key tool in protecting public health. She also acknowledged a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, which may indicate the early stages of another wave of the epidemic and calls for continued vigilance and appropriate preventive actions.
A former infectious disease specialist warned about the potential arrival of a Hong Kong flu strain to Russia, highlighting concerns about novel influenza variants and the importance of maintaining robust vaccination programs. The expert stressed that preparedness, including timely vaccination and ongoing surveillance, remains essential to reducing the impact of possible flu outbreaks on communities and healthcare resources.