Seasonal influenza is a prevalent and serious annual illness resulting in widespread morbidity and economic disruption throughout the population; the elderly and immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable to serious sequelae and mortality. The changing demographics worldwide to an aging society have important implications for public health policy and pharmaceutical innovations. For instance, primary prevention via immunization is effective in reducing the burden of influenza illness among the elderly. However, the elderly may be insufficiently protected by vaccination due to the immunosenescence which accompanies aging. In addition, vaccine hesitancy among the younger populations increases the likelihood of circulating infectious diseases, and thus concomitant exposure. While it is clear that the development of more immunogenic vaccines is an imperative and worthy endeavor, clinical trials continue to demonstrate that the current influenza vaccine formulation remains highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality when well matched to circulating strains.

• Klíčová slova
• burden of flu, efficacy, elderly, immunization strategies, influenza vaccination,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská imunologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• stárnutí imunologie   MeSH
• vakcinace metody   MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce imunologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Vaccination is the primary intervention to prevent influenza infection, yet vaccine uptake remains low among children and other at-risk patients. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of a paediatric hospital visit with laboratory-confirmed influenza on the influenza vaccination behaviour of participants and their family members in the subsequent influenza season. METHODS: This study compared the influenza vaccination coverage for participants < 18 years of age with a clinical suspicion of influenza in 2017-2018 during a hospital visit, in two subsequent influenza seasons. Data was retrieved from the hospital electronic medical record and a follow-up questionnaire (2018-2019) to ascertain the common reason(s) that families did not vaccinate their children the following year (2018-2019). The children were distributed into positive- (antigen and/or PCR) and negative-influenza groups. RESULTS: A total of 133 children were enrolled in our study. Participants' mean age was 4.6 years and 74 (55.6%) were males. Overall, 47 (35.3%) had confirmed influenza virus. A significant increase in influenza immunization was found among both positive- and negative-influenza participants between 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 (6.4% vs. 27.7%, p < 0.001; 8.1% vs. 29.1%, p < 0.001, respectively), as well as among family members of positive-influenza participants - siblings and parents (6.4% vs. 19.6%, p = 0.003; 0% vs. 17%, p < 0.001, respectively). Common reasons for failure to vaccinate included doubt in vaccine effectiveness, unlikely to get "flu", busy, and side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that a paediatric hospital visit with laboratory-confirmed influenza increases vaccine uptake among families. Future studies should aim to evaluate evidence-based interventions to improve influenza vaccine uptake among children.

• Klíčová slova
• influenza, vaccination, vaccine, vaccine effectiveness,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dětské nemocnice MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• rodina MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH

OBJECTIVES: Influenza is a widespread respiratory disease with a potentially risky course. Vaccination is considered the most effective method of prevention. However, only a small portion of the population is vaccinated. Teachers work in a high-risk environment and they have a significant impact on the population through student education. Therefore, the aim of this study was to find out the knowledge and attitudes of pre-service teachers about influenza and vaccination. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted to find out what knowledge, attitudes and behaviour pre-service teachers (N = 373) show in relation to influenza and influenza vaccination. It was statistically tested whether there were differences between students with respect to their field of study. RESULTS: The majority of pre-service teachers have a good knowledge of influenza symptoms, however, they often mistaken it for other respiratory diseases. The field of study plays only a partial role in the knowledge. The respondents perceive influenza as an easily spread disease, but they have negative attitudes towards vaccination, and most pre-service teachers think that its disadvantages outweigh the advantages. This was stated primarily by pre-services science teachers. These attitudes are also reflected in the low vaccination rate of the sample (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Relatively good knowledge of teachers is not reflected in their attitudes and behaviour. Negative attitudes towards vaccination are most held by pre-service teachers, whose field primarily includes teaching this topic. It can have a significant effect on students' attitudes not only toward influenza vaccines but also to other vaccinations.

• Klíčová slova
• human, influenza, teacher training, vaccination,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská * prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH
• zdraví - znalosti, postoje, praxe MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: In the Austrian population approximately 350,000-400,000 cases and 1,000-1,200 deaths are observed during an average epidemic, which puts influenza-related deaths on top of the list of vaccine-preventable cases of death. In face of extensive vaccination recommendations, the current vaccination rate of the general population of about 6% is one of the lowest worldwide. The objective of this study was to provide an update regarding the use of influenza vaccination in Austria over the period 1982-2015. METHODS: This paper presents data on influenza vaccine use in Austria displayed by the number of distributed doses per 1,000 population over a period of 33 years. Further data was collected from representative population-based telephone surveys. RESULTS: Austria has always been among the countries with a low number of distributed doses of influenza vaccine. The highest number ever was reached in 2006 with 142 doses/1,000. From 2007 onwards, a steady decrease happened to 62 doses/1,000 in the 2015/16 season, which corresponds to the level of the mid-nineties. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that Austria is a country with comprehensive recommendations for influenza vaccination, this vaccination continues to be misjudged by the Austrian population and many areas of the medical system. From a public health point of view, this situation is not acceptable. Efforts must be increased to attain a much higher vaccination rate, e.g. the importance of the healthcare workers' influence must be recognized, the options of social marketing have to be utilized and studies on the main barriers in Austria are urgently needed.

• Klíčová slova
• Austria, dose distribution, influenza, vaccination, vaccine use,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pacientův souhlas se zdravotní péčí statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vakcinace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• zdraví - znalosti, postoje, praxe * MeSH
• zdravotní politika MeSH
• zdravotnický personál MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rakousko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce MeSH

Seasonal influenza can have serious morbid consequences and can even result in death, particularly in at-risk populations, including healthcare professionals (HCPs), elderly and those living with a medical risk condition. Although in Europe recommendations exist for annual influenza vaccination in these populations in most countries, the vaccination coverage rate (VCR) is often well below the World Health Organization target of 75% coverage. In our previous survey in 2009 we showed that some elements of national vaccination policies, e.g. reminder systems, strong official recommendation, and easy access, seemed to contribute to achieving higher influenza VCRs among elderly. We repeated the survey in 2016, using the same methodology to assess changes in influenza VCRs among the elderly and in the impact of policy elements on these VCRs. In addition, we collected information about VCRs among HCPs, and those living with a medical risk condition. The median VCR in the 21 countries that had recommendations for influenza vaccination in the elderly was 35.3%, ranging from 1.1% in Estonia to 74.5% in Scotland. The average VCRs for HCPs and those living with medical risk conditions, available in 17 and 10 countries, respectively, were 28.3% (range 7% in Czech Republic to 59.1% in Portugal) and 32.2% (range from 20.0% in the Czech Republic and Hungary to 59.6% in Portugal), respectively. Fewer countries were able to provide data from HCP and those living with medical risk conditions. Since the initial survey during the 2007-2008 influenza season, VCRs have decreased in the elderly in the majority of countries, thus, achieving high VCRs in the elderly and the other target groups is still a major public health challenge in Europe. This could be addressed by the identification, assessment and sharing of best practice for influenza vaccination policies.

• Klíčová slova
• Elderly, Seasonal influenza vaccination, Vaccination coverage, Vaccination policies, healthcare professionals, influenza, policy,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• očkovací programy organizace a řízení   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• pokrytí očkováním statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• zdravotní politika * MeSH
• zdravotnické plány - realizace organizace a řízení   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• Check Tag
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Evropa MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to evaluate influenza vaccination rates among the elderly and individuals with underlying chronic disease, and factors that affect vaccination uptake. METHODS: The study comprised individuals aged 18-65 years with underlying chronic diseases, and individuals aged over 65 years. Literature-based questionnaires prepared by the researcher regarding vaccination were completed through face-to-face interviews by the principal investigator. RESULTS: A total of 818 participants were included in the study, 257 (31.4%) were males. The mean age of participants was 57.47 ± 14.11 years; 274 (33.5%) were aged 65 years and over. One hundred and three (12.6%) participants stated that they received vaccinations against influenza annually, and 144 (17.6%) stated that they had vaccination against influenza in the 2015/16 or 2016/17 season. Fifty-two (19%) participants aged more than 65 years stated that they received vaccinations against influenza annually, 75 (27.4%) stated that they had vaccination against influenza in the 2015/16 or 2016/17 season. The most commonly determined reasons for not receiving vaccination were not knowing that it was necessary (34%) and believing that vaccination was not necessary because they were healthy (26%). Statistically significantly more participants who gained their knowledge from a physician were vaccinated than those whose knowledge came from other sources (p < 0.05). Participants who considered that they had sufficient information about influenza were vaccinated more frequently, the results were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Informing target risk groups about influenza vaccination by physicians and increasing awareness about influenza may contribute to increasing vaccination rates.

• Klíčová slova
• chronic disease, elderly people, influenza, risk group, vaccination,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• chronická nemoc epidemiologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• pacientův souhlas se zdravotní péčí psychologie   statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• rozhovory jako téma MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• vakcinace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce aplikace a dávkování   MeSH
• zdraví - znalosti, postoje, praxe MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce MeSH

BACKGROUND: The Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) aims to determine the burden of severe influenza disease and Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (IVE). This is a prospective, active surveillance and hospital-based epidemiological study to collect epidemiological data in the GIHSN. In the 2016-2017 influenza season, 15 sites in 14 countries participated in the GIHSN, although the analyses could not be performed in 2 sites. A common core protocol was used in order to make results comparable. Here we present the results of the GIHSN 2016-2017 influenza season. METHODS: A RT-PCR test was performed to all patients that accomplished the requirements detailed on a common core protocol. Patients admitted were included in the study after signing the informed consent, if they were residents, not institutionalised, not discharged in the previous 30 days from other hospitalisation with symptoms onset within the 7 days prior to admission. Patients 5 years old or more must also complied the Influenza-Like Illness definition. A test negative-design was implemented to perform IVE analysis. IVE was estimated using a logistic regression model, with the formula IVE = (1-aOR) × 100, where aOR is the adjusted Odds Ratio comparing cases and controls. RESULTS: Among 21,967 screened patients, 10,140 (46.16%) were included, as they accomplished the inclusion criteria, and tested, and therefore 11,827 (53.84%) patients were excluded. Around 60% of all patients included with laboratory results were recruited at 3 sites. The predominant strain was A(H3N2), detected in 63.6% of the cases (1840 patients), followed by B/Victoria, in 21.3% of the cases (618 patients). There were 2895 influenza positive patients (28.6% of the included patients). A(H1N1)pdm09 strain was mainly found in Mexico. IVE could only be performed in 6 sites separately. Overall IVE was 27.24 (95% CI 15.62-37.27. Vaccination seemed to confer better protection against influenza B and in people 2-4 years, or 85 years old or older. The aOR for hospitalized and testing positive for influenza was 3.02 (95% CI 1.59-5.76) comparing pregnant with non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination prevented around 1 in 4 hospitalisations with influenza. Sparse numbers didn't allow estimating IVE in all sites separately. Pregnancy was found a risk factor for influenza, having 3 times more risk of being admitted with influenza for pregnant women.

• Klíčová slova
• Epidemiology, Influenza virus, Surveillance, Vaccine effectiveness,
• MeSH
• celosvětové zdraví MeSH
• chřipka lidská epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hospitalizace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• sentinelová surveillance * MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vakcinace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce imunologie   terapeutické užití   MeSH
• virus chřipky A, podtyp H1N1 imunologie   MeSH
• virus chřipky A, podtyp H3N2 imunologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři nad 80 let MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce MeSH

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the effect of seasonal influenza (flu) vaccination on the susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A total of 203 healthcare workers of a pandemic centre of Istanbul, Turkey, were included in this retrospective study. According to the presence or absence of flu vaccination, participants were divided into group 1 and group 2. A comparison of the rate of COVID-19 was done between these two groups. Also, the mean age and the sex ratio of females/males were evaluated and compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Group 1 participants (n = 65) were older than participants in group 2 (n = 138) (p < 0.05). Despite of this, interestingly, the COVID-19 infection rate was lower in the 1st group (in comparison to the 2nd group) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that, even if low, the flu vaccination may have a protective effect on the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Using this beneficial adjuvant effect of the vaccine may help us in this unpredictable battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. Further studies are needed to confirm this assumption.

• Klíčová slova
• COVID-19, influenza, protection, vaccination,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• COVID-19 * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• pandemie MeSH
• retrospektivní studie MeSH
• SARS-CoV-2 MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Turecko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Seasonal influenza vaccination is the main method for influenza prevention. The main objective of this study is to estimate the frequency of vaccinations in patients with chronic illnesses presented to a primary health care (PHC) centre. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in patients admitted to the Kapandriti Health Centre. Their vaccination status with an influenza vaccine and their underlying diseases were recorded. RESULTS: 34.8% of the subjects had been vaccinated against seasonal influenza. Vaccination coverage was found to be 53.9% in pulmonary, 55.6% in chronic kidney disease, 43.7% in cardiovascular disorders, 40.6% in diabetes, 40.6% in any kind of malignancy, and finally 33.3% in neurological patients. The most significant predictors for vaccination were the age group of 60 to 79 years (OR = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.79-5.29), age over 80 years (OR = 2.91, 95% CI: 1.58-5.36), respiratory disease (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.33-3.76), cardiovascular disorder (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.02-2.10), and 3 to 5 visits to the unit annually (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.12-2.24). Finally, it was discovered that coexistence of one to three diseases reduced the likelihood ratio for vaccine uptake (OR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03-0.79, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The influenza vaccination rate for the population of the present study has been found higher than that reported previously in literature. We believe that there is a need to implement new and more effective strategies such as educating vulnerable groups on the benefits of vaccination and so reducing the incidence of influenza and its complications especially in vulnerable groups.

• Klíčová slova
• Greece, high risk group, influenza, primary healthcare, vaccination,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská * epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• primární zdravotní péče MeSH
• průřezové studie MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• vakcinace MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Řecko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce * MeSH

BACKGROUND: The Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network is an international platform whose primary objective is to study severe cases of influenza requiring hospitalization. METHODS: During the 2015-2016 influenza season, 11 sites in the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network in nine countries (Russian Federation, Czech Republic, Turkey, France, China, Spain, Mexico, India, and Brazil) participated in a prospective, active-surveillance, hospital-based epidemiological study. Influenza infection was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza was estimated using a test-negative approach. RESULTS: 9882 patients with laboratory results were included of which 2415 (24.4%) were positive for influenza, including 1415 (14.3%) for A(H1N1)pdm09, 235 (2.4%) for A(H3N2), 180 (1.8%) for A not subtyped, 45 (0.5%) for B/Yamagata-lineage, 532 (5.4%) for B/Victoria-lineage, and 33 (0.3%) for B not subtyped. Of included admissions, 39% were < 5 years of age and 67% had no underlying conditions. The odds of being admitted with influenza were higher among pregnant than non-pregnant women (odds ratio, 2.82 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.90 to 4.19]). Adjusted IVE against influenza-related hospitalization was 16.3% (95% CI, 0.4 to 29.7). Among patients targeted for influenza vaccination, adjusted IVE against hospital admission with influenza was 16.2% (95% CI, - 3.6 to 32.2) overall, 23.0% (95% CI, - 3.3 to 42.6) against A(H1N1)pdm09, and - 25.6% (95% CI, - 86.3 to 15.4) against B/Victoria lineage. CONCLUSIONS: The 2015-2016 influenza season was dominated by A(H1N1)pdm09 and B/Victoria-lineage. Hospitalization with influenza often occurred in healthy and young individuals, and pregnant women were at increased risk of influenza-related hospitalization. Influenza vaccines provided low to moderate protection against hospitalization with influenza and no protection against the predominant circulating B lineage, highlighting the need for more effective and broader influenza vaccines.

• Klíčová slova
• Epidemiological study, Hospitalization, Influenza, Surveillance, Vaccine, Virus,
• MeSH
• chřipka lidská diagnóza   epidemiologie   prevence a kontrola   MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hospitalizace statistika a číselné údaje   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• odds ratio MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• prospektivní studie MeSH
• roční období MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• vakcíny proti chřipce imunologie   MeSH
• virus chřipky A, podtyp H1N1 izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• virus chřipky A, podtyp H3N2 izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• výsledek terapie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• senioři MeSH
• těhotenství MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• vakcíny proti chřipce MeSH