An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of influenza and occurs when a new influenza virus emerges, spreads and causes disease worldwide. Influenza A viruses continuously undergo antigenic evolution. There are two main mechanisms by which they do so: antigenic drift causes regular influenza epidemics, while antigenic shift is the cause of occasional global outbreaks […]
Antiviral drugs for influenza are an important adjunct to influenza vaccine for the treatment and prevention of influenza. However, they are not a substitute for vaccination. Treatment Treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors (NI) such as oseltamivir and zanamivir is extremely variable between countries and is usually restricted to the very ill. Treatment with NI should only […]
Adjuvants are substances that can be added to human vaccines. They stimulate the immune system and increase the response to a vaccine, without having a specific antigenic effect themselves. The advantages, certainly in a pandemic situation, are obvious: they improve the immune response whilst the dose size (the amount of virus material or antigen in […]
To prepare the world for the next influenza pandemic, the WHO has advised national governments to develop pandemic preparedness plans. The production, distribution and administration of a pandemic influenza vaccine play a major role in such plans. Pandemic influenza vaccines would reduce spreading of the virus and the burden of disease in the population, like […]
in the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to be vaccinated is from mid-October to mid-November. This will ensure protection before the beginning and throughout the duration of the annual epidemic circulation of influenza viruses, which usually occurs from November to April. In the Southern Hemisphere, the best time to be vaccinated is from mid-March to […]
Myths and misconceptions about influenza and influenza vaccination are major barriers to better protection of healthy and high-risk persons. Some common examples are: ‘The flu is just a common cold!’ ‘I had the flu last year, so I cannot get it this year.’ ‘You can get the flu from a flu shot.’ ‘Flu shots offer […]
The level of vaccination coverage is the result of the interplay of many factors: the commitment, motivation and organization of healthcare workers, policy decisions at the level of the healthcare system and the awareness of patients themselves. Nonetheless, the role of the healthcare worker is crucial. It was recently shown that when a doctor or […]
As a patient’s first point of contact and medical adviser, healthcare workers play a crucial part in the fight against influenza. As a matter of fact, when asked why they take the annual influenza vaccine, a majority (over 60%) of high-risk patients answers: ‘Because my doctor or nurse recommends it’. Indeed, family doctors are in […]
Healtcare workers should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza annually. Although healthy adults do not belong to the at-risk population, there are good reasons for healthcare providers to get immunised against influenza, especially when they have regular contacts with patients and high-risk patients. First of all, an obvious rule of thumb is that healthcare workers should […]
Anyone anywhere can catch influenza and the influenza vaccine can be administered to any person aged 6 months or older to reduce the chance of getting influenza, or to reduce the severity and consequences of the disease. Yet, national and international health authorities worldwide recommend that the influenza vaccine be given to protect people who […]