Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) vaccination.
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.
Chlibek
Roman
R
Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, 500 01 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. chlibek@pmfhk.cz
Anca
Ioana
I
André
Francis
F
Bakir
Mustafa
M
Ivaskeviciene
Inga
I
Mangarov
Atanas
A
Mészner
Zsófia
Z
Perenovska
Penka
P
Prymula
Roman
R
Richter
Darko
D
Salman
Nuran
N
Simurka
Pavol
P
Tamm
Eda
E
Toplak
Natasa
N
Usonis
Vytautas
V
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
D007252:Influenza Vaccines