40.4 million people have already been vaccinated against flu in Russia

The number of vaccinated has exceeded 40 million

As part of the nationwide flu vaccination campaign, 40.4 million people have been vaccinated, Rospotrebnadzor's press service reported on November 10; the figures are cited by TASS and Gazeta.Ru, as well as Life.ru. Head of the agency Anna Popova ordered to speed up the pace of immunization, paying special attention to risk groups, including professional categories of the population for whom vaccination is of increased importance. In addition, she demanded stronger control over laboratory testing of patients with ARI symptoms for flu and COVID-19.

Season dynamics and the first complications

The figure of 40.4 million has grown noticeably compared with the previous public number: when the first cases of flu with complications this season were registered in Russia, cases of flu with complications, 35.5 million people had been vaccinated, including almost 12 million children and 120 thousand pregnant women. At that time, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko assured that no active rise in morbidity was observed, although severe cases were already being detected among unvaccinated citizens.

When to expect the peak of morbidity

Invitro infectious disease doctor Andrey Pozdnyakov, in a conversation with Sib.fm on November 10, predicts the peak of ARI and flu morbidity in January and February 2027; mostly updated strains will circulate. In his words, there is no need to fear an epidemic — active spread of infections is typical for this time of year. If symptoms appear, he advises seeing a doctor for laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis: treating flu with antiviral drugs is effective only within the first 48 hours, while for another viral illness such therapy is not needed.