The key facts

  • Putin said he was vaccinated with a Russian flu vaccine about two weeks before his statement
  • Doctors call November the optimal time for vaccination: immunity develops in 10–14 days to two to four weeks
  • Six reasons are listed for which vaccination may be cancelled or postponed

Putin spoke about his vaccination

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had received a flu shot with a domestic vaccine. According to him, this happened about two weeks ago, and he tolerated the shot well. «I can tell you that I got vaccinated. Nothing bad. The Russian vaccine works fine. About two weeks ago, probably, roughly,» he said at a meeting with members of the Russian government held via videoconference. This is reported by Gazeta.Ru citing RIA Novosti.

Why November is considered a good time for vaccination

The president's statement came at a time when doctors are just recommending getting vaccinated. Lyubov Semyokina, head of the epidemiology department at the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in Primorsky Krai, saidthat November is the optimal time for flu vaccination: the body has time to develop immunity by the start of the epidemic season. After the vaccine is administered, it takes from 10–14 days to two to four weeks for full protection to develop. These timeframes also explain the logic of Putin's words: the shot he received about two weeks ago falls precisely within the period when protection begins to work.

Who should not get vaccinated

The shot is not suitable for everyone. Iraida Bukina, an employee of the department of propaedeutics of internal diseases at Pirogov University, told Gazeta.Ru that vaccination may be cancelled or postponed for six reasons: severe allergy, Guillain–Barré syndrome, age, an exacerbation of a chronic illness, fever, as well as another vaccination within 2–4 weeks prior. The doctor also debunked the widespread myth that one can catch the flu from a vaccination.