title: The importance of influenza prevention for public health.
abstract: Annual epidemics of seasonal (inter-pandemic) influenza represent a significant burden on society in terms of morbidity, mortality, hospitalizations and lost working time. The impact of influenza depends on a mix of direct and indirect effects and is not easy to assess. Nevertheless there is a consensus in considering influenza prevention and mitigation high priorities for public health. We review the available evidence to assess the impact of influenza prevention focusing especially on vaccines and immunization strategies.
authors.affiliation: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carrillo-Santisteve
authors.forename: Bruno Christian
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Ciancio
authors.forename: Angus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicoll
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lopalco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000379:methods*; D007223:Infant; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011634:Public Health; D012621:Seasons; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines