Zydus Lifesciences Unveils India’s First Trivalent Flu Vaccine

New Delhi – Zydus Lifesciences on Tuesday launched Vaxiflu-Trivalent, India’s first trivalent influenza vaccine, in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendations for the 2025–26 Northern Hemisphere flu season.

The vaccine is approved for individuals aged six months and above and protects against three major circulating strains: A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus, A/Croatia/10136RV/2023 (H3N2)-like virus, and B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus.

While India previously used quadrivalent flu vaccines that included protection against the influenza B Yamagata strain, health authorities note that this strain has not circulated globally since March 2020. With its near disappearance, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recommended switching to the trivalent formulation, a move already adopted by about 40 countries, including the US.

“Vaccines are critical to preventive healthcare, particularly when fighting multiple infectious diseases,” said Dr. Sharvil Patel, Managing Director of Zydus Lifesciences. “This launch will help reduce vaccine-preventable illnesses and complications in high-risk groups.”

Globally, seasonal influenza causes 3–5 million cases of severe illness and up to 650,000 respiratory deaths annually, with infants, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions most at risk. Spread mainly through respiratory droplets and close contact, influenza remains a persistent public health challenge.

With inputs from IANS