Autumn and winter are peak seasons for influenza, which spreads quickly and is highly contagious. The elderly and children have weaker immunity and are key vulnerable groups at high risk of infection and severe illness. To protect the health of key populations in rural areas, reduce the risk of influenza infection, severe illness and death, and implement national public health policies, Handan City has fully launched its 2026-2027 free influenza vaccination program for the "elderly and young" in rural areas, in accordance with the notice on influenza vaccination for the 2026-2027 season jointly issued by eight departments including the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and the Ministry of Education. The first batch of free vaccines has arrived and is now available, and eligible residents can get vaccinated free of charge at nearby vaccination sites.

Major benefit policy offers full coverage for two groups

This free influenza vaccination is a unified national benefit policy. Both vaccine costs and vaccination service fees are fully waived with zero out-of-pocket expenses, strictly following the principles of informed consent, voluntariness and free vaccination. It effectively reduces the medical burden on rural residents and strengthens the public health protection barrier in rural areas. The eligible groups are precisely defined and limited to two categories in rural areas: first, rural residents aged 65 and above, including those with rural household registration, those permanently residing in rural areas and those living in rural elderly care institutions; second, students in the compulsory education stage in rural areas, covering rural primary and middle school students, excluding ninth-grade students who graduated in 2026, while newly enrolled first-grade students in autumn are all eligible. A single dose of trivalent split influenza virus vaccine is provided free of charge, suitable for protection during the autumn and winter flu season and effectively preventing seasonal influenza virus infection.

Seize the golden window and get vaccinated early

After influenza vaccination, effective protective antibodies are produced in about 2 to 4 weeks. September and October each year represent the golden window for influenza vaccination. Now is the best time before the epidemic season arrives. Completing vaccination early can build a solid immune barrier before the autumn and winter peak, minimizing the risk of infection. At present, the first batch of free influenza vaccines has arrived at all standardized vaccination sites such as township health centers in counties and districts across Handan, and vaccination work is proceeding in an orderly manner. As temperatures gradually drop, influenza virus activity will continue to rise and infections will gradually increase. Rural residents who meet the criteria are urged not to delay and to bring their elderly family members and children for free vaccination as soon as possible.

Scientific vaccination protects key populations

Compared with the general population, rural elderly people often have underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. After influenza infection, they are prone to severe complications such as pneumonia and myocarditis, which can worsen their condition and even endanger their lives. Children's immune systems are not yet fully developed and their resistance is weak; after infection they are prone to persistent high fever, coughing and wheezing, and can easily cause cluster transmission on campus, affecting normal study and life. Influenza vaccination is currently the most economical, effective and safe means of preventing influenza. It can significantly reduce the incidence of influenza among key populations, lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death, effectively reduce cross-infection within families and ease the burden of medical care.

Vaccination reminders

For nearby vaccination, eligible individuals can bring their ID card, household register and other valid documents to the preventive vaccination clinic of the township health center in their jurisdiction for an appointment. Students can be vaccinated in an orderly and centralized manner according to school arrangements. Vaccination is voluntary, and medical staff will explain contraindications and precautions in detail before vaccination; vaccination can proceed only after confirming there are no contraindications. After vaccination, recipients must remain under observation at the site for 30 minutes and may leave only when there is no discomfort. A small number of people may experience mild transient reactions such as low fever or local soreness, which are normal and resolve on their own without excessive worry. It is advisable to complete vaccination as early as possible. Free vaccines are currently sufficient and vaccination channels are open. Since free vaccines cannot cover all eligible individuals, the public is advised to get vaccinated early on a first-come, first-served basis and complete immune protection before the peak flu season.

Health is no small matter, and prevention should come first. The Handan Center for Disease Control and Prevention once again calls on eligible elderly people over 65 and students in the compulsory education stage in rural areas across the city to seize the free vaccination policy and the golden vaccination period and take the initiative to get vaccinated against influenza. It also hopes that villages, communities and schools will actively promote and mobilize, guide everyone to abandon any侥幸 mentality, get vaccinated proactively and take scientific precautions, building an all-round influenza prevention and control immune barrier for autumn and winter in our city and fully protecting the well-being of the elderly and the health of children.