High quality research is critical for evidence-based decision making in public health and fundamental to maintain progress and trust in immunization programs in Europe. In 2024 the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) conducted an update of the 2020 systematic review to capture more recent evidence on of the efficacy, effectiveness of influenza vaccines in individuals aged 18 years and older in the prevention of laboratory-confirmed influenza. While this report was highly anticipated due to the strength of the protocol and processes put in place, during our assessment, we expressed two chief concerns. We are concerned by the grading of the evidence certainty applied and being unable to reproduce some data extracted in the report from the primary sources. While the systematic review benefited of strong methods and processes, the execution of the research protocol warrants revision due to the issues discussed. We encourage the ECDC to work towards an updated review within a reasonable time frame to avoid misinterpretation by decision-making bodies across Europe.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
INTRODUCTION: The Raise Awareness of Influenza Strategies in Europe (RAISE) group gathered information about the healthcare burden of influenza (hospitalizations, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and excess deaths), surveillance systems, and the vaccine coverage rate (VCR) in older adults in 18 European countries and Israel. AREAS COVERED: Published medical literature and official medical documentation on the influenza disease burden in the participating countries were reviewed from 2010/11 until the 2022/23 influenza seasons. Information on the framework for monitoring the disease burden and the provision for ensuring older adults had access to vaccination in their respective countries was provided. Data on influenza VCR in older adults were collected for the 2019/20 to 2022/23 influenza seasons. Data are reported descriptively. EXPERT OPINION: Influenza presents a significant healthcare burden in older adults. Reporting outcomes across participating countries is heterogeneous, highlighting the need for standardized approaches. Although older adults receive free influenza vaccination, vaccine uptake is highly variable among countries. Moreover, hospitalization rates remain high even in countries reporting a high VCR. Increased awareness and education on the burden of disease and the broader use of improved influenza vaccines for older adults may help reduce the disease burden on this population.
- MeSH
- chřipka lidská * prevence a kontrola epidemiologie MeSH
- COVID-19 * prevence a kontrola epidemiologie MeSH
- hospitalizace * statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pokrytí očkováním * statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- vakcíny proti chřipce * aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- senioři nad 80 let MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
- Izrael MeSH
