Respiratory infections such as influenza (flu) and pneumonia have been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Therefore annual vaccinations against these two infections are recommended. With flu season approaching the World Health Organization (WHO) has also called on countries to administer widespread anti-flu vaccinations this year amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently during a news briefing in Geneva WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward and epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said that getting vaccinated against flu may also offer some protection against severe COVID-19 infection and avert hospital crisis. Researchers including one of Indian-origin have also highlighted the importance of