According to specialists' forecasts, non-influenza respiratory viruses, influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2 are expected to circulate simultaneously in the current 2026–2027 season.

Healthcare organizations are completing preparations for the annual vaccination against influenza and COVID-19.

Patients at high risk of influenza, its severe course and adverse outcomes will be offered vaccination with a vaccine from the centralized national procurement (Grippol Plus, made in the Russian Federation); the first batch will be available to the public in early October.

People for whom flu vaccination is especially important this season:

• children aged 6 months to 3 years,

• children aged 3 and over and adults with chronic diseases and immunodeficiency conditions,

• people over 65,

• pregnant women,

• medical and pharmaceutical workers,

• children and adults in round-the-clock care institutions,

• employees of government bodies responsible for national security and essential public services.

Confirm your wish to be vaccinated in advance by informing the staff of the outpatient clinic at your place of residence.

As usual, people will also be able to protect themselves and their loved ones against influenza by getting vaccinated at their own expense.

For the 2026–2027 season, the strain composition of influenza vaccines has been completely updated for all three components in line with WHO recommendations.

Recommended strains for egg-based vaccines:

an A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;

an A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus;

a B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025-like virus (B/Victoria lineage).

The Convacell vaccine (made in the Russian Federation) will be available for vaccination against COVID-19.

People who are advised to get vaccinated against COVID-19:

• adults with immunosuppression (immunodeficiencies, including HIV infection, autoimmune diseases, cancer and hematologic malignancies);

• people aged 60 and over;

• adults living or working in round-the-clock care institutions.

 The main goal of vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 is to prevent severe illness and adverse outcomes. To build full immune protection, it is best to get vaccinated before the viruses start circulating actively and the incidence of influenza and COVID-19 rises.

We encourage you not to postpone vaccination until November–December and to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines arrive at healthcare organizations.

No special preparation for vaccination is required. It is important not to have an acute illness or a flare-up of a chronic disease on the day of vaccination. Patients are always examined by a doctor before the procedure.

We remind you of the importance of the following ARI prevention measures:

• follow personal hygiene rules and “respiratory etiquette” (cough and sneeze into a tissue or, if you do not have one, into the crook of your elbow);

• ventilate rooms more often and do wet cleaning;

• lead a healthy lifestyle: adequate sleep, a balanced diet, physical activity;

• avoid contact with sick people.