As winter arrives in Pakistan, flu cases rise sharply, bringing fever, body aches and a cough that can last for weeks. The Influvac vaccine, supplied in Pakistan by Abbott Laboratories Pakistan, is a widely used flu shot that offers safe, yearly protection. The WHO and Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) recommend annual flu vaccination, especially for pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with chronic illness. This guide covers the Influvac vaccine dosage, side effects, timing and Influvac vaccine price in Pakistan.
Why Flu Season Hits Hard in Pakistan
Influenza circulates in Pakistan all year but usually peaks in January and February. In winter, people gather indoors in crowded rooms, so the virus spreads quickly through homes, schools and offices. Flu strains also change every year, which means last year's immunity offers little protection this season.
Influvac Vaccine: A Medical Necessity, Not Just a Seasonal Choice
The flu is more than a heavy cold. It can cause pneumonia, worsen asthma or heart disease and lead to hospital admission.
Key facts about Influvac:
•    Inactivated vaccine: it contains killed virus, so it cannot give you the flu.
•    Updated every year to match WHO recommended strains.
•    Approved from 6 months of age.
•    Protection in 2 to 3 weeks, lasting about 6 to 12 months.
Who Should Get the Influvac Vaccine?
Most people aged six months and older benefit from a yearly flu shot. Pakistan's NIH lists these priority groups:
•    Pregnant women (highest priority)
•    Children aged 6 months to 5 years
•    Adults aged 65 and over
•    People with diabetes, heart disease, asthma or COPD
•    People with weak immunity or obesity
•    Health workers and caregivers
Influvac can be given at any stage of pregnancy and also helps protect newborns, who are too young to be vaccinated.
Influvac Vaccine Dosage and Schedule
•    Adults and children 9 years and older: one 0.5 ml dose every year
•    Children 6 months to 8 years, first time: two 0.5 ml doses, at least 4 weeks apart
•    Children previously vaccinated: one 0.5 ml dose every year
•    Route: injection into the upper arm muscle (thigh in infants)
Not recommended for babies under 6 months. A qualified healthcare professional should give the injection.
Influvac Vaccine Side Effects
Side effects are usually mild and settle within 1 to 3 days:
•    Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site
•    Headache, tiredness or muscle aches
•    Mild fever
•    Irritability in young children
These are signs your immune system is responding, not the flu. Serious allergic reactions are rare.
Best Time to Get the Influvac Vaccine in Pakistan
•    Get vaccinated in October or November, before flu peaks
•    Repeat the vaccine every year
•    Book the second dose on time for young children
•    Vaccinate the whole household to protect elderly parents and newborns
•    Keep the vaccine at 2°C to 8°C and never freeze it
Missed the window? Getting vaccinated later in the season still helps.
Prevention and Precautions
Along with vaccination, wash your hands often, cover coughs and stay home when sick. Speak to a doctor before vaccination if you have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine, have a high fever on the day, have a bleeding disorder or a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Influvac is made in hens' eggs, so mention any egg allergy. Antibiotics do not treat the flu; read about commonly misused medicines in Pakistan.
Role of Dawa Healthcare and Dawa Healthcare Pharmacy
At Dawa Healthcare Pharmacy, the Influvac vaccine Price Rs 2,757.80 (October 2026; prices and stock may change). Orders within 10 km of a branch get 99-minute delivery from 9 am to midnight, and the rest of Karachi gets same-day delivery on orders before 8 pm. You can also visit any of our seven Karachi branches or request the vaccine through Arrange For Me if it is out of stock.
Vaccines are kept at 2°C to 8°C and delivered within Karachi only to protect their effectiveness. Our pharmacists can advise on timing and refer you to Dawa Clinics when needed.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Get urgent help after vaccination if you notice:
•    Difficulty breathing or wheezing
•    Swelling of the face, lips or throat
•    Hives, dizziness or a fast heartbeat
•    Weakness or tingling in the arms or legs
Conclusion and Call to Action
The Influvac vaccine is one of the simplest ways to protect your family this flu season. With the right timing, dosage and pharmacist support, you can stay protected all winter.
Order the Influvac vaccine online for fast cold-chain delivery in Karachi, or visit your nearest Dawa Healthcare Pharmacy branch today.