Getting into the strain: the flu and SARS epidemic has ended in Russia
The incidence rates of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections in Russia have returned to normal, Rospotrebnadzor told Izvestia. The number of respiratory infections is steadily decreasing across the country — in May 2026, they fell to summer levels, and the spread of viruses was minimized. According to the estimates of the chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health, Vladimir Chulanov, in the 2025/26 season they were sick less often than in the previous one. The infection was mainly suffered by people over 65 years of age. Whether there will be an outbreak of influenza in the summer and whether vaccines against new strains help is in the Izvestia article.
The end of the flu and SARS season
The epidemic season of influenza and SARS in 2025-2026 can be considered closed, Rospotrebnadzor told Izvestia. In May, the frequency of respiratory infections began to decrease and equaled the usual summer values, and flu activity reached a minimum.
—In all regions, the epidemiological situation for influenza and acute respiratory viral infections is stable and controlled," the ministry's press service stressed. — In the regions of Russia, viruses of non-influenza etiology mainly circulate (a large group of pathogens that cause acute respiratory viral infections. — Ed.).
The epidemiological situation in the country is safe now, Vladimir Chulanov confirmed.
— The analysis of the weekly dynamics indicates a steady decrease in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, — said the doctor. — The epidemic season of 2025-2026 passed relatively calmly. The lower incidence rate compared to the previous season, as well as timely preparation of healthcare, made it possible to avoid a significant burden on medical institutions.
The situation with COVID-19, he said, also remained stable during the season.
Should we expect a new surge in summer
Rospotrebnadzor noted that in 2025-2026, the influenza A (H3N2) virus, which is also called the Hong Kong virus, prevailed in circulation. At the peak of the epidemic, it accounted for about 80% of cases of respiratory diseases. At the same time, the number of infected was lower than in previous seasons.
"In most regions, the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections did not exceed the average values due to prevention, and first of all, vaccinations," the department noted.
Before the start of the autumn-winter season, about 81 million Russians were vaccinated, which accounted for 55% of the total population of the country.
"The vaccination was carried out with highly effective domestic drugs, and the mutation of the influenza A (H3N2) virus detected this season did not affect the immune response and protective properties of the vaccines," the Rospotrebnadzor said.
The agency's experts believe that the widespread spread of influenza in summer should not be expected — the virus is traditionally active in autumn and winter. Vladimir Chulanov agrees with this.
"However, in August, there may be a slight increase in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections due to seasonal factors and an increase in the intensity of social contacts," added the chief freelance specialist of the Ministry of Health.
According to him, this year, people over the age of 65 who suffer from cardiovascular diseases and have not been vaccinated against the flu suffered the most severe infections.
"This underlines the particular importance of timely vaccination of the elderly and patients with chronic diseases," the expert noted.
Are vaccines effective against new flu strains
The incidence of influenza has been below epidemic levels for three weeks now, Gennady Onishchenko, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Education, told Izvestia.
— But besides the flu, there are about 200 other viruses circulating. These are parainfluenza (ARVI, which causes inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. — Ed.), rhinoviruses, adenoviruses and COVID-19: they are all quite malicious towards us.
The rise in the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections has been moderate this year. In December 2025, according to the expert, the usual seasonal figures were exceeded only in some regions. However, the damage to health was greater than from all current infections. There were weeks with a million cases. Any flu suffered on the legs, even in a mild form, has serious consequences for the body.
Gennady Onishchenko said that in March, Russian specialists received data on the strains that will be circulating in the fall and winter of 2026-2027. Their list was formed during international monitoring under the auspices of the World Health Organization.
"Expert groups study the data and determine which strains need to be replaced in the vaccine and which ones should be retained," explained the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences. "The fact is that the influenza virus is characterized by the ability to make a genetic drift. That is, it quickly changes the genetic sequence and bypasses the already formed immunity. Our country makes its own vaccines. We change the strains every year. This is a relatively new practice. In Soviet times, for example, topical strains could be introduced every five years, and at such times the effectiveness of vaccination turned out to be much higher. Now we get there every year.
The risk group, according to Gennady Onishchenko, includes children, especially schoolchildren, as well as older people, who are more likely to have serious complications that can even lead to death. It should be vaccinated from August, before the outbreak of the epidemic, since immunity after administration of the drug is developed only after 7-10 days, said the academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
