Influenza Seasonality in the Tropics and Subtropics - When to Vaccinate?

ABSTRACT:

Background

The timing of the biannual WHO influenza vaccine composition selection and production cycle has been historically directed to the influenza seasonality patterns in the temperate regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. Influenza activity, however, is poorly understood in the tropics with multiple peaks and identifiable year-round activity. The evidence-base needed to take informed decisions on vaccination timing and vaccine formulation is often lacking for the tropics and subtropics. This paper aims to assess influenza seasonality in the tropics and subtropics. It explores geographical grouping of countries into vaccination zones based on optimal timing of influenza vaccination.

Methods

Influenza seasonality was assessed by different analytic approaches (

SUBMITTER: Hirve S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4847850 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature