Our doctor Dr. Kavya Somesh MD, Physician and Consultant at Hande Hospital, 44, Lakshmi Talkies Road, Shenoy Nagar, Chennai 600030 recommends the following vaccinations during this season where most people are suffering from cold, cough and fever. 

Flu Vaccine:

Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with the flu. Flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visits each year. The amount of protection provided by a flu vaccine may vary by flu virus type or sub-type. Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of a flu-related worsening of chronic lung disease (for example, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring hospitalization). Among people with diabetes and chronic lung disease, vaccination has reduced hospitalizations from worsening of their chronic condition. Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect pregnant people from flu during and after pregnancy and helps protect their infants in the first few months. Flu Vaccination is given annually depending on the strain of the virus. 

Pneumococcal Vaccine: 

Pneumococcal infections can lead to serious invasive diseases such as Meningitis, Septicaemia and Pneumonia. Apart from routine vaccination of children, according to CDC recommendation adults more than 65 years needs to be vaccinated. Pneumococcal vaccine is also recommended for people of age 19-65 years with:

1. Chronic lung disease
2. Chronic kidney disease 
3. Diabetes 
4. Smokers and alcoholics 
5. Immunocompromised diseases like HIV infection 
6. Cancer patients and people with blood disorders 
7. Previous influenza and other respiratory virus infections.

These vaccines are available at Hande Hospital, Shenoy Nagar. Kindly call 98410 11390 for details or an appointment with Dr. Kavya Somesh MD.