title: Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination.
abstract: The 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic is markedly different from seasonal influenza with the disease affecting the younger population and a larger than expected number of severe or fatal cases has been seen in pregnant women, obese people and in people who were otherwise healthy. In Europe, influenza activity caused by the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) virus has passed the winter peak with nearly all countries now reporting lower influenza activity. However, although the rate of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) is declining, fatal cases continue to be reported and the future is hard to predict. The most effective protection against influenza is vaccination and increasing vaccine coverage is the only way to eliminate uncertainties regarding possible future waves of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). Recommendations have been developed for several central European countries but there is no clear or uniform definition with respect to priority groups or age groups who should receive vaccination. This paper contains the Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for the vaccination of adults and children against 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). CEVAG recommends vaccination of all health-care workers, pregnant women, children > or = 6 months and <2 years of age and people with chronic medical conditions as a first priority.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. chlibek@pmfhk.cz
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chlibek
authors.forename: Ioana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Anca
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakir
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ivaskeviciene
authors.forename: Atanas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mangarov
authors.forename: Zsófia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mészner
authors.forename: Penka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perenovska
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prymula
authors.forename: Darko
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Nuran
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salman
authors.forename: Pavol
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simurka
authors.forename: Eda
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tamm
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Toplak
authors.forename: Vytautas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Usonis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines