WHO Regional Office for Europe recommendations on influenza vaccination during the 2016/2017 winter season: 01.09.2016

WHO Regional Office for Europe recommendations on influenza vaccination during the 2016/2017 winter season September 2016 Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to: Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe Marmorvej 51 DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Alternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Office website (http://www.euro.who.int/pubrequest). © World Health Organization 2016 All rights reserved. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. The views expressed by authors, editors, or expert groups do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health Organization. WHO Regional Office for Europe recommendations on influenza vaccination during the 2016-2017 winter season Influenza is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person mainly by coughing, sneezing and close contact. Influenza symptoms begin suddenly and can last from a few days to up to 2 weeks. Common symptoms include fever, cough, body aches and headache. While, influenza infection is usually mild and uncomplicated, it may occasionally cause severe disease, particularly among the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and persons with underlying medical conditions. Seasonal influenza vaccination is safe and the most effective means of preventing infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses. RECOMMENDATED TARGET GROUPS FOR INFLUENZA VACCINATION Vaccination can benefit all age groups, but is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications. Specific population groups may be targeted for vaccination depending on the objectives of the national vaccination programme, documented vaccine effectiveness, access to vaccine, and the ability to implement vaccination campaigns in the target groups. The priority groups for influenza immunization are drawn from the 2012 WHO position paper on influenza vaccines1 and include:  pregnant women;  individuals >6 months with chronic heart or lung diseases, metabolic or renal disease, chronic liver disease, chronic neurological conditions or immunodeficiencies;  elderly persons over a nationally defined age limit, irrespective of other risk factors;  residents of long-term care facilities for older persons and the disabled;  children aged 6–59 months;  health care workers including those who work in facilities that care for the elderly or persons with disabilities. Additional information Information sheets on reaction rates of seasonal influenza vaccines (available in English and Russian) http://www.who.int/vaccine_safety/initiative/tools/vaccinfosheets/en/ 1 Seasonal influenza vaccine, Weekly Epidemiological Record: 2012 (21); 87, 201–16 (www.who.int/wer/2012/wer8721.pdf) COMPOSITION OF INFLUENZA VACCINES FOR 2016-2017 Due to the influenza virus’ continuous genetic and antigenic changes, WHO updates its recommendations for the composition of the vaccine twice a year for the northern and southern hemisphere, respectively. The viruses included in the vaccine are those predicted to be the most common in the forthcoming season. Because the composition of the vaccine is updated regularly to produce the best protection, vaccination against influenza is recommended every year before the season begins. As it takes approximately 6-8 months to produce influenza vaccines, recommendations for the vaccine composition for the northern hemisphere are published by WHO in February every year. WHO recommends that trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines used in the northern hemisphere during the upcoming 2016-2017 influenza season includes the following2,3:  A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;  A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;  B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (Victoria lineage). For quadrivalent vaccines it is recommended to include a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (Yamagata lineage) in addition to the three viruses above. It should be noted that countries that use trivalent vaccine and expect B/Yamagata lineage viruses to predominate in the 2016-2017 season, may choose a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus in their influenza vaccines. This year’s recommendation represents a change compared with the vaccine used for the 2015- 2016 northern hemisphere influenza season. The main changes include:  replacement of the A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus component with an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)- like virus;  in trivalent vaccines, replacement of B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus component with a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. WHO will continue to monitor global influenza virus circulation and will provide updated recommendations as needed. 2 Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2016-2017 northern hemisphere influenza season; http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/201602_recommendation.pdf?ua=1 3 Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the northern hemisphere 2016-2017 influenza season and development of candidate vaccine viruses for pandemic preparedness; http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/201602_qanda_recommendation.pdf?ua=1