Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for influenza vaccination in children.
BACKGROUND
Influenza vaccination in infants and children with existing health complications is current practice in many countries, but healthy children are also susceptible to influenza, sometimes with complications. The under-recognised burden of disease in young children is greater than in elderly populations and the number of paediatric influenza cases reported does not reflect the actual frequency of influenza.


CONCLUSIONS
Vaccination of healthy children is not widespread in Europe despite clear demonstration of the benefits of vaccination in reducing the large health and economic burden of influenza. Universal vaccination of infants and children also provides indirect protection in other high-risk groups in the community. This paper contains the Central European Vaccination Advisory Group (CEVAG) guidance statement on recommendations for the vaccination of infants and children against influenza. The aim of CEVAG is to encourage the efficient and safe use of vaccines to prevent and control infectious diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
CEVAG recommends the introduction of universal influenza vaccination for all children from the age of 6 months. Special attention is needed for children up to 60 months of age as they are at greatest risk. Individual countries should decide on how best to implement this recommendation based on their circumstances.
Usonis
Vytautas
V
Vilnius University Clinic of Children's Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. vytautas.usonis@mf.vu.lt
Anca
Ioana
I
André
Francis
F
Chlibek
Roman
R
Ivaskeviciene
Inga
I
Mangarov
Atanas
A
Mészner
Zsófia
Z
Prymula
Roman
R
Simurka
Pavol
P
Tamm
Eda
E
Tesović
Goran
G
Central European Vaccination Advisory Group
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines