title: Seasonal influenza vaccine policies, recommendations and use in the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Region.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent seasonal influenza and its severe outcomes. The objective of our study was to synthesize information on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011 for all countries and areas in the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization (WHO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected via a questionnaire on seasonal influenza vaccination policies, recommendations and practices in place in 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six of the 37 countries and areas (97%) responded to the survey. Eighteen (50%) reported having established seasonal influenza vaccination policies, an additional seven (19%) reported having recommendations for risk groups for seasonal influenza vaccination only and 11 (30%) reported having no policies or recommendations in place. Of the 25 countries and areas with policies or recommendations, health-care workers and the elderly were most frequently recommended for vaccination; 24 (96%) countries and areas recommended vaccinating these groups, followed by pregnant women (19 [76%]), people with chronic illness (18 [72%]) and children (15 [60%]). Twenty-six (72%) countries and areas reported having seasonal influenza vaccines available through public funding, private market purchase or both. Most of these countries and areas purchased only enough vaccine to cover 25% or less of their populations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In light of the new WHO position paper on influenza vaccines published in 2012 and the increasing availability of country-specific data, countries and areas should consider reviewing or developing their seasonal influenza vaccination policies to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with annual epidemics and as part of ongoing efforts for pandemic preparedness.
authors: Dominic
authors: D
authors: Dwyer
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Barr
authors: Aeron
authors: A
authors: Hurt
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Kelso
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Reading
authors: Sheena
authors: S
authors: Sullivan
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Buchy
authors: Hongjie
authors: H
authors: Yu
authors: Jiandong
authors: J
authors: Zheng
authors: Yuelong
authors: Y
authors: Shu
authors: Dayan
authors: D
authors: Wang
authors: Lam
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Aguon
authors: Rita Q
authors: RQ
authors: Oliva
authors: Takato
authors: T
authors: Odagiri
authors: Masato
authors: M
authors: Tashiro
authors: Khebir
authors: K
authors: Verasahib
authors: Mohd Apandi
authors: MA
authors: Yusof
authors: Pagbajabyn
authors: P
authors: Nymadawa
authors: Burmaa
authors: B
authors: Alexander
authors: Anne-Claire
authors: AC
authors: Gourinat
authors: Jean-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Grangeon
authors: Lance
authors: L
authors: Jennings
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Huang
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Horwood
authors: Marilla
authors: M
authors: Lucero
authors: Vito
authors: V
authors: Roque
authors: Lyndon
authors: L
authors: Lee Suy
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Cardon
authors: Amado
authors: A
authors: Tandoc
authors: Remigio M
authors: RM
authors: Olveda
authors: Chun
authors: C
authors: Kang
authors: Park
authors: P
authors: Young-Joon
authors: Jeffery
authors: J
authors: Cutter
authors: Raymond
authors: R
authors: Lin
authors: Constance
authors: C
authors: Low
authors: Le Thi Quynh
authors: le TQ
authors: Mai
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Balish
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Kile
authors: Shang
authors: S
authors: Mei
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Mcfarland
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Moen
authors: Sonja
authors: S
authors: Olsen
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Samaan
authors: Xu
authors: X
authors: Xiyan
authors: Nora
authors: N
authors: Chea
authors: Sergey
authors: S
authors: Diorditsa
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Feldon
authors: Kimberley
authors: K
authors: Fox
authors: Mendsaikhan
authors: M
authors: Jamsran
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Konings
authors: Hannah Catherine
authors: HC
authors: Lewis
authors: Michelle
authors: M
authors: McPherson
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Nilles
authors: Babatunde
authors: B
authors: Olowokure
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Partridge
mesh_terms: D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012621:Seasons; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines