The influenza landscape and vaccination coverage in older adults during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: data from Several European Countries and Israel

George Kassianos, Jean Marie Cohen, Rok Civljak, Nadav Davidovitch, Oana Falup Pecurariu, Filipe Froes, Andrei Galev, Inga Ivaskeviciene, Kadri Kõivumägi, Zuzana Kristufkova, Ernest Kuchar, Jan Kyncl, Helena C. Maltezou, Miloš Marković, Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, Raul Ortiz de Lejarazu, Alessandro Rossi, Jörg Schelling, Gerrit A. van Essen, Dace Zavadska

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: The Raise Awareness of Influenza Strategies in Europe (RAISE) group gathered information about the healthcare burden of influenza (hospitalizations, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and excess deaths), surveillance systems, and the vaccine coverage rate (VCR) in older adults in 18 European countries and Israel. Areas covered: Published medical literature and official medical documentation on the influenza disease burden in the participating countries were reviewed from 2010/11 until the 2022/23 influenza seasons. Information on the framework for monitoring the disease burden and the provision for ensuring older adults had access to vaccination in their respective countries was provided. Data on influenza VCR in older adults were collected for the 2019/20 to 2022/23 influenza seasons. Data are reported descriptively. Expert opinion: Influenza presents a significant healthcare burden in older adults. Reporting outcomes across participating countries is heterogeneous, highlighting the need for standardized approaches. Although older adults receive free influenza vaccination, vaccine uptake is highly variable among countries. Moreover, hospitalization rates remain high even in countries reporting a high VCR. Increased awareness and education on the burden of disease and the broader use of improved influenza vaccines for older adults may help reduce the disease burden on this population.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)69-84
Number of pages16
JournalExpert Review of Respiratory Medicine
Volume18
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2024

Keywords

  • Influenza
  • Influenza surveillance
  • burden of disease
  • older adults
  • vaccine coverage rate

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Immunology and Allergy

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