Most private hospitals in Kolkata have reported an increase in non-COVID adult immunizations, which experts claim is a result of increasing COVID vaccination knowledge. Non-COVID immunizations have increased by 70–80% in several hospitals in the previous six months. The most commonly administered vaccines are the seasonal influenza vaccination and the pneumonia vaccine, which is administered every five years.

The number of influenza and pneumonia injections given at Peerless Hospital increased by 30% in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same time in 2019. According to CEO, Ms. Sudipta Mitra, the over-the-counter selling of these vaccinations has also surged.

She noted that COVID shots have raised awareness about the importance of vaccines. As a result, the hospital in Kolkata is seeing a 30% increase in the number of shots as well as a significant increase in OTC sales. She also added that previously, doctors had to advise elderly patients with comorbidities to get influenza or pneumonia shots, but now they are eager to do so.

The Director of Pulmonology at CMRI Hospital, Dr. Raja Dhar, noted that there has been a 50% increase in non-COVID vaccinations over the last six months. He added that the physicians experience with COVID vaccines has helped prove that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks associated with them.

Dr. Ayanabh Deb Gupta, co-founder and joint managing director of Medica, noted that the super specialty hospital has provided roughly 38–40 influenza vaccinations and 45–50 pneumonia vaccines every month.

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/spurt-in-demand-for-non-covid-vaccines-in-kolkata/99888468 )