Expansion of seasonal influenza vaccination in the Americas.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Seasonal influenza is a viral disease whose annual epidemics are estimated to cause three to five million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths worldwide. Vaccination is the main strategy for primary prevention.

Methods

To assess the status of influenza vaccination in the Americas, influenza vaccination data reported to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) through 2008 were analyzed.

Results

Thirty-five countries and territories administered influenza vaccine in their public health sector, compared to 13 countries in 2004. Targeted risk groups varied. Sixteen countries reported coverage among older adults, ranging from 21% to 100%; coverage data were not available for most countries and targeted populations. Some tropical countries us

SUBMITTER: Ropero-Alvarez AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2764707 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature