Medicus, Vol. 20 No. 1_Influenca, 2011.
Review article
Influenza Vaccination
Bernard Kaić
; Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo
Abstract
Influenza vaccines have b een u sed for decades. In Croatia only subunit and split vaccines are licensed. These vaccines are considered somewhat less efficient, but also less reactogenic than killed virion and live attenuated influenza vaccines. In order to increase immunogenicity and efficacy, adjuvanted vaccines and those for intradermal use have been developed. Influenza vaccination is traditionally recommended to people with increased risk factors for complications, those in whom influenza might aggravate underlying medical conditions and to healthcare workers caring for highrisk patients. As any other vaccine, influenza vaccines do not guarantee 100% protection and some people may develop adverse reactions. However, the expected benefits of vaccination clearly outweigh possible risks, which is true both for seasonal influenza vaccines and for pandemic adjuvanted vaccines. Numerous evidence of safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines provide absolutely no justification for the negative media campaign directed against influenza vaccines which began with the advent of pandemic vaccines.
Keywords
influenza; vaccine; reactogenicity; efficacy; recommendations
Hrčak ID:
77362
URI
Publication date:
3.1.2011.
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