Turkish medical associations issue influenza vaccination report

Five medical specialty associations in Turkey have released the ‘Multidisciplinary Consensus Report 2026’ regarding adult influenza management. The report focuses on diagnosis, treatment, prevention of complications, and immunization strategies.

Experts recommend the influenza vaccine for everyone over six months of age, emphasizing annual vaccination for high-risk individuals. The report highlights that influenza is distinct from the common cold due to its sudden onset and more pronounced systemic symptoms, such as fever, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue.

Citing World Health Organization data, the report notes that seasonal influenza affects approximately 1 billion people globally each year. This results in 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness and an estimated 290,000 to 650,000 deaths annually due to respiratory diseases related to the virus.