title: A perspective on influenza control.
abstract: The Immunization Practices Advisory Committee in the USA recommends vaccination and/or prophylactic amantadine for target groups, some of whom are at high risk of influenza infection. These groups include medical personnel in extensive contact with particularly susceptible patients. At a 1985 conference on influenza control organised by the US Centers for Disease Control, a major viewpoint expressed was for the routine immunisation of children who are household contacts of high-risk persons. In view of the frequency of adverse reactions produced by amantadine, the partial and short-term protection afforded by the vaccine, the benign nature of the illness in healthy individuals, and the failure of present programmes to reach those especially prone to serious illness, it would be better to intensify vaccination efforts among high-risk individuals.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Imperato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000547:Amantadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006281:Health Occupations; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007326:Institutionalization; D008722:Methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D000547:Amantadine