Shaping meeting to explore the value of a coordinated work plan for epidemic and pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness

Influenza Vaccination Assessment according to a Value-Based Health Care Approach

“…Of the 40 studies included in our systematic review [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ], seven (17.5%) had a non-European perspective and were conducted in Canada ( n = 1) [ 18 ], the USA ( n = 3) [ 19 , 21 , 42 ], China ( n = 1) [ 36 ], Iran ( n = 1) [ 49 ], and low-income countries (LICs) ( n = 1) [ 32 ]; ten (25%) had a global perspective [ 5 , 10 , 12 , 20 , 22 , 24 …”

“…Among the European studies, eight (36.4%) were conducted specifically in Italy [ 3 , 4 , 13 , 31 , 38 , 39 , 43 , 47 ]. In addition, of the 40 articles included in our work, 17 (42.5%) were systematic reviews or literature reviews [ 3 , 5 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 37 , 41 , 47 , 48 ], ten (25%) were economic evaluations [ 8 , 13 , 19 , 21 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 34 , 44 , 45 ], seven (17.5%) were cross-sectional studies [ 18 , 35 , 36 , 38 , 42 , 43 , 49 ], two studies (5%) were HTA reports [ 4 , 39 ], one study (2.5%) was a nonlinear regression model [ 33 ], and three studies (7.5%) were expert opinions [ 20 , 40 , 46 ]. The main features of the studies are shown in Table 1 .…”

“…Regarding the influenza vaccination target population investigated in the studies included in our systematic review, 11 studies (27.5%) focused on vaccination in the general population [ 5 , 12 , 18 , 20 , 25 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 44 , 46 , 48 ], five (12.5%) on vaccination in the pediatric population [ 3 , 19 , 29 , 33 , 45 ], three (7.5%) on vaccination in the population aged 6 months to over 85 [ 21 , 27 , 28 ], seven (17.5%) on vaccination in elderly individuals (over 65) [ 4 , 11 , 24 , 30 , 31 , 41 , 47 ], two (5%) specifically on adults over 18 [ 38 ] and over 50 [ 26 ], one study (2.5%) specifically on influenza vaccination in elderly individuals and at risk groups [ 22 ], one (2.5%) on the target population for which the WHO recommends flu vaccination [ 8 ], one (2.5%) on customs officers [ 23 ], four (10%) on HCWs [ 10 , 34 , 35 , 36 ], one (2.5%) on workers in general [ 13 ], two (5%) on health care students [ 42 , 43 ], one (2.5%) on pregnant women [ 32 ], and another study (2.5%) on influenza vaccination in the cancer population [ 49 ].…”

“…Of the 40 studies included in the systematic review, 37.5% ( n = 15) also addressed other general features of the influenza vaccination value [ 11 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 33 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 47 , 49 ], with particular reference to the following aspects: the cultural value and social benefits of flu vaccination both from the citizens’ perspective [ 24 ] and from that of health care professionals [ 36 ]; the value of influenza vaccination in specific target populations such as elderly individuals [ 11 , 26 , 41 ], adults [ 47 ], risk groups, such as patients with cardiovascular [ 41 ] and cancer [ 49 ] diseases, and health care students [ 43 ]; the importance of the whole value of flu vaccination [ 25 ] and the need for an appropriate methodology to assess this value and support an evidence-based decision-making process [ 37 ], also thanks to evidence-based tools such as HTA [ 39 ]; the value of surveillance systems for influenza and the need to consider new innovative surveillance methods such as social media [ 33 ]; the value of educational interventions on influenza vaccination for nursing students [ 42 ]; and the value of citizens’ literacy [ 38 ].…”

“…Eventually, Ruscio et al [ 40 ] emphasized the need for globally coordinated planning to implement influenza vaccination, led by an alliance of international stakeholders, including representatives of governmental and nongovernmental organizations, representatives of civil society, industry, international organizations, and experts in health security and flu vaccination.…”