Virologist warned about new strains of influenza in Russia

In Russia, new strains of the influenza virus appeared, to which the population does not yet have immunity, said the director of the Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza of the Ministry of Health Dmitry Lioznov.

"This season, the composition of influenza vaccines has been completely updated: all three components have been changed," Lioznov said.

According to him, this indicates the circulation of new strains of the virus, to which the population does not have formed immunity.

Lioznov noted that in these conditions it is especially important to get vaccinated for people at risk. These are primarily children, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with chronic diseases. Immunity after vaccination is formed in at least 14 days.

Lioznov added that the epidemiological situation in the country remains stable.

In late September, Rospotrebnadzor reported that the incidence of SARS, influenza and COVID-19 is growing in Russia. For the 38th week of 2026, 734,000 cases were registered, which is 33.8% more than a week earlier.

According to virological monitoring, viruses of non-influenza nature account for 99.4% of identified pathogens. Most of them are rhinoviruses (81.6%), another 12.5% are parainfluenza viruses. The proportion of influenza viruses is 0.6%. Among them, strains A (H1N1), A (H3N2), as well as viruses of types B and C were identified.

All-Russian vaccination campaign against influenza began on September 2. As reported by the head of Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova, Russia has the necessary stock of vaccines against all strains of influenza that can circulate this season.