Differences in national influenza vaccination policies across the European Union, Norway and Iceland 2008-2009

Abstract

In 2009 the second cross-sectional web-based survey was undertaken by the Vaccine European New Integrated Collaboration Effort (VENICE) project across 27 European Union (EU) member states (MS), Norway and Iceland (n=29) to determine changes in official national seasonal influenza vaccination policies since a survey undertaken in 2008 and to compare the estimates of vaccination coverage between countries using data obtained from both surveys. Of 27 responding countries, all recommended vaccination against seasonal influenza to the older adult population. Six countries recommended vaccination of children aged between six months and <18 years old. Most countries recommended influenza vaccination for those individuals with chronic medical conditions. Recommendations for vaccination of healthcare workers (HCW) in various settings existed in most, but not all countries. Staff in hospitals and long-term care facilities were recommended vaccination in 23 countries, and staff in out-patient clinics in 22 countries. In the 2009 survey, the reported national estimates on vaccine coverage varied by country and risk group, ranging from 1.1% - 82.6% for the older adult population; to between 32.9% -71.7% for clinical risk groups; and from 13.4% -89.4% for HCW. Many countries that recommend the influenza vaccination do not monitor the coverage in risk groups. In 2008 and 2009 most countries recommended influenza vaccination for the main risk groups. Hovewer, despite general consensus and recommendations for vaccination of high risk groups many countries do not achieve high coverage in these groups. The reported vaccination coverage still needs to be improved in order to achieve EU and World Health Organization goals.

Systematic review of fever, febrile convulsions and serious adverse events following administration of inactivated trivalent influenza vaccines in children

“…Vaccination is the leading strategy to combat influenza. The recommendations for influenza vaccination have been progressively expanded and now include all healthy children aged six months and older in the United States (US) and several European countries [5,6]. The United Kingdom's (UK) Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended vaccination of all children two to 17 years of age with live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) from the 2013/14 season onwards, although implementation was being staggered, commencing with two and three year-old children in the first year [7].…”

Influenza vaccination coverage among medical residents

“…5 Although influenza vaccination is recognized to be safe and effective, providing for 70-90% protection against infection, 6 recent studies have confirmed that influenza vaccination coverage rates especially among HCWs remain generally low. 7 Previous studies have documented that also medical residents (MRs) and general practitioner trainee physicians have shown very low coverage rates (<30%), [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] being significantly below the 75% recommended by the American and European Centers for Disease and Control (CDC and ECDC). 19,20 MRs should be considered a "priority group" since they are frequently the first-line providers for hospitalized and debilitated patients and they represent the medical specialists of the future.…”

Are age-based strategies effective in increasing influenza vaccination coverage?: The Spanish experience

“…1,3,6,17 These could include financial incentives given to general practitioners, improved surveillance of vaccine coverage, more mass media campaigns (TV, radio and web), and an increased contribution of hospital staff in vaccine campaigns. 1,3,6,17 In Spain, influenza vaccination is administered mainly by general practitioners and patients are normally vaccinated in primary care centers. Vaccination is also provided, to a lesser extent, at the workplace.…”

“…1 In recent decades, Spain has achieved high influenza vaccination coverage for individuals aged $ 65. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Unfortunately, coverage for individuals , 65 y with concomitant chronic conditions has not improved in parallel, with uptake values of , 35%. 2,[4][5][6] Spanish recommendations for influenza vaccination are issued annually by the public health services of autonomous regions (AR).…”

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7] Unfortunately, coverage for individuals , 65 y with concomitant chronic conditions has not improved in parallel, with uptake values of , 35%. 2,[4][5][6] Spanish recommendations for influenza vaccination are issued annually by the public health services of autonomous regions (AR). 8 For many years, the recommendations of all AR have included persons of any age who suffer from specific health conditions (eg, chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders; immunosuppression), health care workers, and patients in chronic care facilities.…”