title: Flu vaccination policy in old adults: need for harmonization of national public health recommendations throughout Europe.
abstract: The reading of the paper by Jansen et al. in a recent issue of Vaccine (2008, October 16) showing the "decline in influenza-associated mortality among Dutch elderly following the introduction of a nationwide vaccination programme" was for us the opportunity to present the results of a recently conducted survey of national Flu vaccination policies at a meeting of Presidents and representatives from 24 National Geriatric Societies. Combined results of these two studies advocate for promoting efficient, cost-effective and sustainable vaccine programme endorsed by all the National governments in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Geneva Medical School and University Hospitals, Chemin du Pont Bochet 3, 1226 Thonex, Geneva, Switzerland. jean-pierre.michel@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: Pierre Olivier
authors.initials: PO
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Baeyens
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005060:Europe; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006291:Health Policy; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines