January 7, 2026
ULAANBAATAR – Over the past three years influenza seasons in Mongolia have lasted about twice as long and case numbers have risen by roughly 1.5–2 times, health authorities report.
This year the outbreak began earlier and spread more quickly, driven in part by the co-circulation and dominance of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A (H3N2) strains in the community.
To reduce severe illness and complications, the country began vaccinating high-risk groups on 12 September using 300,000 doses of vaccine manufactured in the Republic of Korea. The vaccine includes two influenza A and two influenza B strains. Authorities say higher vaccination coverage, 20–40% greater than in the preceding three years, helped blunt the peak of infections and reduce complications during the surge.