KARACHI: At a time when influenza-related deaths are rising globally, there is no official influenza vaccine policy in Pakistan. According to new estimates by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), up to 650 000 deaths annually are associated with respiratory diseases from seasonal influenza. This is an increase on the previous global estimate of 250 000 – 500 000, which dates from over ten years ago and covered all influenza-related deaths, including cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The new figures of 290 000 – 650 000 deaths are based on more recent data from a larger, more diverse group of countries, including lower middle income countries, and exclude deaths from non-respiratory diseases, the report says. According to US-CDC, most deaths occur among people aged over 75 years, and in the world’s poorest regions. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for the world’s greatest flu mortality risk, followed closely by the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. Nearly all deaths among children under five with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections occur in developing countries, report said. Influenza (abbreviated ‘flu’) begins with body pain, scratchy throat and runny nose, followed by high fever with chills, headache, and a dry cough. This lasts three to four days; there is a period of recovery with fatigue and loss of energy for few more days. There is work or school absenteeism, and slow return to normal activity, while dry cough persists another few days. The symptoms of the illness, however, are same in both. Patients who develop more severe symptoms or are likely to die from pandemic flu are already in poor health from previous lung disease from smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, heart failure, or from medicines that reduce body defence mechanisms. The very young, very old and pregnant women, too, are at high risk for complications or mortality. “Influenza vaccination is strongly recommended by World Health Organisation on a yearly basis,” said Dr Suleman Otho, senior chest specialist and public health consultant. High cost, traditional norms, customs and low levels of education in Pakistan are preventing people from getting vaccinated. It is timely to include influenza vaccination in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Pakistan, which is a disease prevention programme aiming to eradicate preventable diseases through subsidized or free immunization, Dr Otho added. “There is change in viral trends that means a patient of influenza is taking more time to recover. For example, if a patient was earlier taking seven days, now he or she is taking two weeks to recover. Therefore in these circumstances, importance of vaccination increases. Secondary stage of influenza is chest infection like pneumonia that is life threatening,” he warned. Published in Daily Times, December 18th 2017.