Influenza vaccination in Europe
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Influenza vaccination in Europe


The rates of influenza vaccination are low and even decreasing in many European nations, with two million preventable cases of influenza occurring in Europe each year. To reach the target of providing 75% of at-risk people with the influenza vaccine, an additional 60 million people would need to be vaccinated in Europe.


The Steering Group on Influenza Vaccination recently outlined key methods to increase influenza vaccination rates in the “EU Manifesto on Influenza Vaccination.” The Steering Group consists of various scientific and medical associations (such as the Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union) and aims to produce effective strategies to reach the target of providing 75% of the population with the influenza vaccine.


The EU Manifesto on Influenza Vaccination advises health care providers to promote the influenza vaccine, explains the need to focus on at-risk groups such as older people and emphasizes the need for an improved societal understanding of the value and safety of the vaccine within the EU population. Overall, the Steering Group strives for an improved and collaborative practice between professionals in Europe in order to increase influenza vaccination rates.


If you would like to learn more about the importance of vaccines for at-risk groups such as older people, consider attending the IFA 14th Global Conference on Ageing, which includes discussion from experts on a life course approach to vaccination. Visit www.ifa2018.com for details.


For more information on vaccinations, connect with one of our IFA experts such as Dr. Mine Durusu Tanriover, who was involved in the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network project.


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