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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.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemispheres in Polish elite athletes participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics., Design: Prospective, observational, cohort study., Setting: Institutional level., Participants: Ninety-seven athletes vaccinated only with the northern hemisphere vaccine; 98 athletes received the southern hemisphere vaccine alone, whereas 39 athletes were vaccinated with both vaccines., Interventions: The athletes were vaccinated with a trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine recommended for the northern hemisphere 2015/2016 and then with the vaccine recommended for the southern hemisphere 2016. Athletes kept a diary of adverse events and effects (if any) on training for 6 days after vaccination., Main Outcome Measures: The percentage of general and local adverse events, number of lost or modified training sessions., Results: Significantly more local adverse events (pain and redness) were found in the group immunized with the vaccine for the northern hemisphere. There were no differences in the frequency of general adverse events and influence on training between groups. Of total 273 athletes who had 1911 training days during 6 days after vaccination, 6 athletes (2.2%) lost 13 training days (0.7%) and 16 athletes (5.9%) had to modify 34 (1.7%) training days within first 2 days after vaccination., Conclusions: Athletes tolerated influenza immunization well. If they are going to travel to the other hemisphere during the influenza season, the use of the second influenza vaccine should be advised. Athletes should anticipate modification of trainings for 2 days after vaccination., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

BACKGROUND Obesity is associated with susceptibility to severe influenza infection and several disturbances of the immune response to the influenza vaccine. However, the effect of obesity on the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine is not fully understood. Our objective here was to assess the immunogenicity of the split, inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in Polish adults with obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-three subjects with obesity aged 21-69 years were vaccinated with the QIV in 2017/2018 season. Antibody titers against the 4 vaccine strains were measured using the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay. The mean fold antibody increase (MFI), seroprotection rate (protection rate, PR), and seroconversion rate (response rate, RR) were calculated to assess vaccine immunogenicity. RESULTS The vaccine elicited a significant increase in the anti-HI titers against the QIV antigens. The MFI, PR, and RR for the QIV antigens also reached the required age-specific values, indicating the QIV meets current immunogenicity criteria. Individuals with class I and class II/III obesity had similar anti-HI titers, MFI, PR, and RR to each of the vaccine strains. Adults aged <60 years had similar anti-HI titers, MFI, PR, and RR to the QIV strains to those aged ≥60 years. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the split virion, inactivated QIV is immunogenic in adults with obesity regardless of their degree of obesity and age (ie, <60 and ≥60 years).

Objectives: Vaccination is the most effective method of controlling influenza in the human population, where pregnant women belong to a risk group that is especially vulnerable to influenza-related morbidity and mortality. The objectives of the survey were to report estimates of maternal vaccination coverage and assess reasons for the lack of influenza vaccination among Polish women of childbearing age., Material and Methods: The survey analysis included 564 pregnant women who had been surveyed in a self-reported questionnaire during the 2017-2018 influenza season in Warsaw, Poland., Results: Over 95% of Polish women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information on vaccine by physicians and midwives. General practitioners were most often indicated as healthcare workers who educated women about influenza risk factors and recommended influenza vaccine to them., Conclusions: The results of the survey suggest that women of childbearing age did not vaccinate against influenza due to the low perception of risk and a lack of providing evidence-based information by healthcare workers (including obstetrician-gynaecologists and midwives), while their recommendations appear to be a powerful method of overcoming barriers to influenza vaccination among patients.

Pregnant women are at risk of severe and complicated influenza, and so are children aged 2-5 years. Despite numerous recommendations, influenza vaccination coverage in pregnant women is still low. The trigger for this article was the development of new quadrivalent influenza vaccines along with the publication of new studies on the safety and effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccines in pregnant women, administered also in the first trimester of pregnancy. The inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine is a safe and effective measure for preventing influenza in both mother and child. Live attenuated influenza vaccines are contraindicated in pregnant women, whereas inactivated influenza vaccines should be recommended to all pregnant women, either healthy or with comorbidities. Influenza vaccines can be administered during any pregnancy trimester, at least two weeks before delivery. The time of vaccination depends on vaccine availability; however, it should not be postponed unless there are significant medical contraindications.

Medical personnel, including nursing staff, can become a source of influenza virus infections for their patients and co-workers. However, patients can infect the personnel, too. Therefore, influenza vaccinations are recommended for medical staff as an effective and safe form of preventing influenza and its complications., Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the current influenza vaccine coverage rate in nursing personnel and identify of incentives and disincentives for the performance of influenza vaccinations in nursing staff., Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out a group of 770 nurses, using the research questionnaire, previously validated., Results: The influenza vaccine coverage rate in the study group was 15%. The probability of having a vaccination this season and in the previous seasons was higher in medical staff working in out-patient health care (p <0.05, OR 5.15, 95% CI 3.33-7.96), with work experience >40 years (p <0 , 05, OR 6.93, 95% CI 2.04-23.78), dealing with chronic diseases (p <0.05, OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.00-2.46). The most important encouraging factor for influenza vaccination was that the employer paid for the vaccine available in the workplace, the desire to protect oneself from the disease, the belief in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine. The most important factor discouraging vaccination against influenza was the lack of reimbursement of the vaccine and the inconvenience of its implementation in the workplace, as well as doubts related to the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine., Conclusions: The influenza vaccine coverage rate is very low and certain activities should be undertaken to increase it. Measures taken to increase the influenza vaccine coverage rate for nursing staff should be targeted and include identified disincentives and incentives for vaccination., (© 2019 MEDPRESS.)

Being frequent travelers, the elite athletes are advised to undergo an influenza vaccination. The aim of the study was to describe the antibody response to repeated trivalent, inactivated, split influenza vaccine, of different antigenic content, recommended for the Northern and the Southern Hemisphere, administered to sportsmen before the Olympic Games in Brasil in 2016. Fourteen athletes were included in the study. For both A/California/7/209/pdm09 A/H1N1/ antigen and A/Switzerland/971593/2013/A/H3N2/ antigen, higher seroconversion rates were obtained after the first than the second vaccination (10.2 vs. 1.5 and 10.6 vs. 3.0, respectively; p < 0.05 both). Conversion rates for B/Phuket/3073/2013, B/Brisbane/60/2008, and A/HongKong/4801/2014/A/H3N2/ antigens were lower. Nonetheless, the protection rate was greater than 70% for all antigens contained in both vaccines. The proportion of individuals demonstrating a high level of both protection rate and response rate was greater after the first than the second vaccination. We conclude that the immunological response after influenza vaccination is good in elite athletes and remains so after a second influenza vaccination required due to a different vaccine composition recommended for different hemispheres.

For the past 10 years, influenza vaccination coverage rate in Poland remains at a low 3% threshold. This low rate may be related to the unsatisfactory knowledge of vaccination, influenza, and misperception of health risks in the general population. To examine these issues, we used an online questionnaire consisting of 12 closed questions. The basic knowledge on influenza and vaccination was examined. The questionnaire was completed by 1669 persons, mostly young women. Generally, 73% of respondents passed the threshold of 70% correct answers, but important gaps in their knowledge were identified concerning the persons at risk of developing the infection (7.9% of correct answers) and the timing of vaccination (8.4% of correct answers). Although most respondents did identify the etiologic agent correctly (91.1% knew influenza is caused by a virus), only 12.3% knew that the vaccines registered in Poland contain fragments of viruses or its antigens, while 63.1% thought the vaccines contain live bacteria. In conclusion, the knowledge on influenza vaccination is deficient in the general population. Education on immunization should be prioritized to increase vaccination coverage rate in Poland.

In Poland, the seasonal influenza vaccination rate is just barely 3% which may be related to the unsatisfactory knowledge of influenza among healthcare professionals, poor recognition of the benefits of influenza immunization and the fear of side effects. To address these issues, we surveyed healthcare professionals through an online questionnaire consisting of 18 closed-ended items. The questionnaire was completed by 495 healthcare professionals, mostly physicians (83%). The results revealed gaps in the knowledge concerning influenza diagnosis, complications, risk groups, and prognostic factors. On average, respondents only answered 4.8 of the 18 questions correctly (27%). Only 10% of respondents passed the threshold of 50% correct answers. The knowledge of contraindications to vaccination far outweighed the knowledge of indications for vaccination. Poor knowledge with a focus on the adverse effects of immunization may be a significant factor responsible for the low vaccination rate in Poland. To increase vaccination rate, healthcare professionals need to be educated about influenza-related risks and benefits of vaccination.

While the Ebola outbreak in 2014 was strongly highlighted in mainstream media and perceived as a threat to public health in Poland, influenza was regarded as a triviality and the vaccination coverage was low. In the present study, by analyzing feedback from an on-line questionnaire (from November 2014 to January 2015) we assessed the knowledge concerning Ebola and influenza together with attitudes to immunization of 544 respondents (45% medical staff). The findings were that 92.6% of respondents declared readiness to vaccination before traveling to endemic regions if a vaccine against Ebola would have existed, but adverse reactions, high costs, and low effectiveness would adversely affect that decision. While 84.2% of respondents declared awareness of influenza attributing significantly to the cause of death, only 65.4% considered influenza as an actual danger for people in Poland and 46.7% thought that Poland was not an endemic region for influenza. Nearly 23% declared that they were already vaccinated against influenza. The majority of respondents (67.5%) were not going to be vaccinated. We conclude that awareness of risk related to infectious diseases is an important determinant when deciding whether to vaccinate. However, negative information about the vaccine has some bearing on the decision to get vaccinated.

Patients at a high-risk of severe influenza, because of their underlying health disorders, are recommended to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination. In Poland, influenza coverage rate in the general population is very low (3.4 %). However, there is little known about the coverage rate among high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to describe a general knowledge, perception, and influenza vaccination coverage rate among Polish patients with enhanced risk for influenza. We conducted a self-reported survey among 500 patients with chronic disorders: 120 pulmonary, 80 hemodialyzed, 100 thyroid cancer, and 200 cardiovascular patients. We found the following influenza vaccination coverage in the respective groups of patients: 58 % in pulmonary, 34 % in hemodialyzed, 32 % in cardiovascular, and 9 % in thyroid cancer patients. The difference between the coverage rate in pulmonary patients compared with the other risk groups was significant (p < 0.05). In pulmonary patients, the most important barrier for influenza vaccination was a lack of recommendations from healthcare workers, while a high awareness of influenza was the most powerful driver for vaccination (p < 0.05). We conclude that although the influenza vaccination coverage in Polish patients with chronic diseases is higher than that reported in the general population, this rate remains much below the recommended level and should be improved.

Although annual vaccination is the most effective way of preventing the disease and its severe outcomes, influenza vaccine coverage rates have always been at suboptimal levels in Poland. A retrospective analysis was conducted on influenza vaccine coverage rates among patients older than 65 years at local and national levels. Influenza vaccine coverage rates among the elderly in the capital city of Warsaw ranged from 20.5% in 2013 to 31.5% in 2010 and these rates were higher than those reported at the national level (from 7.6% in 2012 to 11.3% in 2009). At a local level the proportion of vaccines given to the elderly compared to all vaccinated individuals varied from 40 to 52% which was comparable to the proportions reported at the national level (37-48.5%). 69% of the elderly were only vaccinated once during the observation period, and only 0.5% of them repeated the vaccination in each subsequent year. The chance of being vaccinated against influenza more than once was statistically higher among women than men (OR 4.9; 95% CI 4.2-5.8). Influenza vaccine coverage rates are low at both local and national levels and ought to be improved in Poland in future.

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that causes high morbidity and significant mortality in humans. Costs associated with influenza in terms of human suffering are immeasurable and the economic costs are very high. Every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5-25% of the global population suffers from infection with influenza and influenza-like viruses and between 500 thousand and one million individuals of all ages die from multiple organ complications, irrespective of the geographic location. Influenza vaccination is still neglected and the percentage of the global population vaccinated remains low. The first authorization for the use of influenza vaccines in humans was issued in 1941. Currently, many varieties of influenza vaccine are available, containing either fragments of inactivated influenza virus or live vaccine which consists of attenuated virus. The influenza vaccine is most often developed in chick embryos or less frequently in tissue culture such as MDCK and Vero. A variety of inactivated vaccines are registered in Poland. Due to the mutability of the virus, it is not yet possible to develop a universal vaccine, nor can the disease be eradicated; however, prevention is possible by inoculating the greatest percentage of the global population. According to the WHO, Poland is in the penultimate position in Europe in terms of the percentage of the population vaccinated. In the last epidemic season of 2012/2013 only 3.75% of the Polish population was immunized.

Pregnancy places otherwise healthy women at an increased risk of complications arising from an influenza infection. It is suggested that physiological changes such as immunological changes, increased cardiac output and oxygen consumption, as well as lung tidal volume might increase the susceptibility to influenza complications if infection occurs during pregnancy. Immunization of pregnant women against influenza is currently recommended in many countries and has been proven to be safe and effective in reducing rates and severity of the disease in vaccinated mothers and their children. Influenza vaccination is also cost-effective. Nevertheless, influenza vaccine coverage remains low in pregnant women. This might stem from the lack of healthcare workers' education, a feeling among the general public that influenza is not a serious disease and a failure of prenatal care providers to offer the vaccine. In order to protect pregnant women and infants from influenza related morbidity and mortality an educational programme targeting healthcare workers in charge of pregnant women should be implemented.

Influenza is one of the most common respiratory diseases affecting people of all age groups all over the world. Seasonal influenza leads to substantial morbidity and mortality on a global scale. Vaccines are undeniably one of the most important health advances of the past century, however, managing influenza in working populations remains a difficult issue. Vaccination of health care workers (HCW) is an efficient way to reduce the risk of occupational infection and to prevent nosocomial transmission to vulnerable patients. Despite this, achieving high immunization rates among those professionals is a challenge. Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers have significant impact on the frequency with which vaccines are offered and accepted, but many HCWs are poorly equipped to make informed recommendations about vaccine merits and risks. Principal reasons for vaccination are the willing not to be infected and avoiding transmission to patients and the family. The main reasons for refusing is lack of time, a feeling of invulnerability to vaccination, conviction of not being at risk, of being too young or in good health. Misconceptions about influenza vaccine efficacy, like adverse effects, and fear of contracting illness from the vaccine are significantly associated with noncompliance with vaccination. Therefore, strategies to increase awareness of the importance of recommending influenza immunization among health professionals are required.

The aim of this study was to determine influenza vaccine coverage among children aged 0-18 years in inner city practices in Poland in the 2009/2010 season and factors that might have influenced low vaccination coverage. A retrospective review of 11,735 vaccination charts of children aged 0-18 from seven randomly selected general practices in the capital city of Warsaw and one large practice in the city of Wroclaw was performed. We calculated the numbers of children who were vaccinated in the 2009/2010 season and analyzed the age distribution of vaccinated children. We also reviewed the vaccination history in patients who were vaccinated against influenza including: previous influenza vaccinations, modification (widening) of standard immunization scheme, and a proportion of children who completed the recommended two-dose schedule of vaccination. In the calculations, 95% confidence intervals were used. Out of the total of 11,735 children surveyed, 362 (3.1%, CI: 2.8-3.4%) were vaccinated against influenza in the 2009/2010 season. For 115 of these 362 (31.8%, CI: 27.0-36.6%) children it was their first vaccination against influenza. The mean age of a vaccinated child was 6.0 ± 4.3 years. Children aged 2-5 were most commonly vaccinated (153/362, 42.3%, CI: 37.2-47.4%), while infants (aged 6-12 months) were vaccinated rarely (15/362, 4.4%, CI: 2.2-6.2%). In the group of children younger than 8 years (86/362 children) who were vaccinated for the first time in their life only 29/86 (33.7%, CI: 23.7-43.7%) completed the recommended two-dose schedule. In conclusion, the importance of vaccinating children against influenza is hugely understated in Poland. General physicians should actively recommend annual influenza immunization of children. Recommendations of National Immunization Program concerning influenza vaccine should be clearer, simpler, and easier to implement.

Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. During seasonal influenza epidemics and pandemics, pregnancy places otherwise healthy women at an increased risk of complications from influenza. The factors believed to increase the susceptibility of complicated influenza infection during pregnancy are linked to the physiologic changes, including immunologic changes (attenuation of the cell-mediated immune responses, selective suppression of T-helper 1 cell mediated immunity while the adaptive humoral immunity remains unimpaired), increased cardiac output and oxygen consumption and tidal volume. Pregnant women have similar incidence of seasonal influenza as the general population, however because of the physiological changes, they are at an increased risk of complications (including secondary pneumonia, acute respiratory insufficiency increased risk of stillbirth, premature deliveries) and death. Immunization of pregnant women against influenza is currently recommended in many countries. Vaccination against influenza with trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) has been proven to be safe and effective. Lack of harmful effect of TIV on pregnant women and newborns has been demonstrated in several studies: no increased risk of spontaneous abortions, preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital malformations, cesarean section have been reported. Vaccination against influenza has been proven to be effective in reducing rates and severity of the disease in vaccinated mothers and their children. Several studies revealed a decreased risk of influenza-like illnesses among mothers who were vaccinated during pregnancy but also a decreased risk of laboratory confirmed cases of influenza and hospitalizations due to influenza and its complications among newborns and infants born to vaccinated mothers. Currently available inactivated influenza vaccines are not licensed for use in infants younger than 6 months. Protection of young infants against the infection in early life thus requires a cocooning strategy to reduce the number of vulnerable individuals among care givers and contacts. Neonates and infants may be also protected against influenza directly by antibodies of maternal origin that cross the placenta or are transferred via breast milk. The duration of passively acquired antibodies depends on the initial blood concentration and is probably less than 6 months. Vaccine coverage among pregnant women rdmains low Possible explanations include lack of education by health care workers, the feeling among the general public that influenza is not a serious problem, and the failure of prenatal care providers to offer the vaccine. Overall, the most important factor for a woman to decide to be immunized during pregnancy was to have a clear recommendation from the health care provider Reasons evoked by obstetricians for not providing influenza vaccines included lack sufficient data on safety and efficacy concerns about the medical legal risks of vaccination during pregnancy and the perdeption that pregnant women would not want to be vaccinated. Educational intervention targeting health care workers in charge of pregnant women should be primary implemented to provide higher influenza vaccine coverage and to protect pregnant women and young infants from influenza related morbidity

Influenza causes seasonal infections worldwide that can lead to complications and deaths in every age group. The most effective and cheapest way to combat influenza is through vaccination. In many countries, including Poland, for each age group, the rate of vaccination against influenza is still at a very low level, which generates high social costs, not infrequently family tragedies in the case of irreversible complications of influenza, or death of a loved one. Regular vaccination should be part of good medical practice, as well as an individual's engagement in their own health and in that of their family. Based on numerous studies, it is estimated that the effectiveness of current inactivated influenza vaccine in reducing morbidity and mortality in high-risk groups ranges from 50-70%. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene, the rate of vaccination in children in 2008 in Poland was very low. In the group of children aged from 6 months to 14 years, only 1.1-1.6% were vaccinated. Although influenza vaccination for people aged over 65 years was free of charge in many provinces in this group, only 13.4% of this population was immunized, while in the case of people with chronic diseases, only 11.1% were immunized. The vaccination rate among health care employees is an embarrassing 6.4%. More educational activities addressed to both medical professionals and patients are required in order to increase influenza vaccine coverage in Poland.

Introduction: Influenza is a considerable health problem all over the world. The most important group for influenza vaccination are children: the highest attack rate during community out-breaks of influenza can be found among school-aged children or their family members; children bear a considerable risk for complications due to influenza, leading to an increased need for healthcare resources (including hospitalization). The high level of vaccine coverage among school children could provide protection against influenza among households and could reduce mortality rates among older individuals., Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the influenza vaccine coverage among children younger than 5 years and to find any trends in influenza vaccine coverage in 2004-2008 in Poland., Material and Methods: Official data (number of administrated vaccines and the age of vaccinated individuals) collected by the National Institute of Hygiene, the National Institute of Public Health, and the Central Statistical Office in Poland were analyzed. This data are reported by physicians and collected from reports prepared annually by the Sanitary-Epidemiological Stations at a local level. The vaccine coverage rate was calculated as a percentage of vaccinated individuals among all children under the age of 5 years., Results: The influenza vaccine coverage among children younger than 5 years varied from 1% (2007 and 2008) to 1.9% (2005). The proportion of vaccinated children aged less than 5 compared with the total number of flu shots administrated irrespective of age also varied from 1.4% (2007) to 2% (2005)., Conclusions: The influenza vaccination coverage among Polish children aged less than 5 years is low and has persisted at the same level. More educational activities directed both to patients (parents) and healthcare workers would be needed to improve a general knowledge about influenza vaccination benefits among young children.

Routine vaccination of certain groups of persons, including children and the elderly might provide additional protection to persons at risk for influenza complications and reduce the overall influenza burden. The aim of the paper was to estimate the influenza vaccine coverage in persons aged 0-4 years and > 65 years in Poland in 2004-2007. Official data collected by National Institute of Hygiene, National Institute of Public Health and Central Statistical Office were analyzed. Among vaccinations performed in all persons, the percentage of vaccinations performed in children aged 0-4 years varied from 1.6% to 2.0%. The estimated vaccination coverage in this age group of population was < 2%. Among persons aged > 65 years the influenza vaccine coverage increased from 7% in 2004 to 14% in 2007. Subjects aged > 65 years represented 25-36% of all vaccinated individuals. The influenza vaccination rates among age-related risk groups in Poland remain low. No or very low increase in a total vaccination coverage rates, as demonstrated in our paper, indicates that meeting the WHO targets concerning influenza vaccination coverage will be very difficult, if no further action is taken concerning vaccine uptake.

Vaccinations are the most effective and economically beneficial form of preventing dangerous infectious diseases. Healthcare professionals should strive for the highest possible immunisation rate in the population, especially among patients from risk groups, which include pregnant women. The vaccination coverage among pregnant Polish women is still unsatisfactory. A consensus on vaccination of pregnant women has recently been achieved by the greatest scientific authorities: global organisations and scientific societies recommend all pregnant women to be vaccinated against pertussis, influenza and COVID-19. Vaccination during pregnancy leads to the production of post-vaccination antibodies that migrate transplacentally to the foetus, providing protection to infants in their first months of life. The inactivated influenza vaccine is safe and effective when given at any stage of pregnancy. Vaccination against pertussis should take place between week 27 and 36 of pregnancy. The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other vaccines or with a 14-day interval. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends vaccination of pregnant women with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines at any stage of pregnancy. As a general rule, pregnant women should not be vaccinated with live, attenuated viruses or bacterial vaccines. Vaccines contraindicated for pregnant individuals, such as the vaccine against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, as well as HPV, can be administered after delivery and during the breastfeeding period. Vaccination of pregnant women against rabies or tetanus is necessary for post-exposure prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual vaccination is the most effective protection against influenza and its serious complications. It is especially important for people at high risk of severe course of the disease and serious complications: individuals with specific chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, children aged 6-59 months, older people, and healthcare workers. Despite a progressive increase in seasonal vaccine coverage, influenza-related morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization rates remain high and have continued to increase in people aged 65 years and over. Standard vaccines against influenza are less efficient in this group due to immunosenescence. Consequently, more effective vaccines are needed to prevent influenza and its complications in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza is an acute infectious disease of viral etiology which, unlike the common cold, can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, inflammation of the kidneys, nervous system, and muscles, and even death. Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza and should be recommended to everyone over six months of age, with particular emphasis on risk groups. When the symptoms of influenza occur, the only drugs recommended for curative treatment are neuraminidase inhibitors (of which only oseltamivir is available in Poland). Influenza diagnosis of should be made during the epidemic season based on clinical signs. Only curative treatment should be employed in risk groups. Treatment should not be delayed in order to wait for the results of tests confirming infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to present influenza vaccines currently available in Poland in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and Polish experts, as well as data concerning their immunogenicity and safety based on results of scientific research and published guidelines. Currently, it is recommended to use the tetravalent influenza vaccine due to its broader protection against the disease and a similar safety profile compared to the trivalent vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although several national and international recommendations have been published, influenza vaccinations are carried out too rarely and thus vaccine coverage rates, both in the general population and in risk groups, remain at an unsatisfactorily low level. The paper presents the current data describing influenza vaccine coverage rates in different countries, in the general population and risk groups (including patients with chronic diseases, pregnant women, children the elderly) and health care workers. It is emphasized that there are many limitations related to the estimation of coverage rates. Methods that are currently used for the assessment of influenza vaccination coverage rates include the following: an analysis of data from health care facilities or providers, from national health insurance records, from well-documented national or private vaccine programs targeting at specific smaller groups, evaluation of national vaccine register, and national surveys of individuals. The establishment of coverage rates among specific groups usually requires another approach with the use of individual web - or telephone - based surveys, which is why selection bias and recall bias should be taken into consideration while discussing the results. The most common drivers and barriers for influenza vaccination are also identified and presented in the review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza is a viral respiratory illness that causes high morbidity and significant mortality in humans. Costs associated with influenza in terms of human suffering are immeasurable and the economic costs are very high. Every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5-25% of the global population suffers from infection with influenza and influenza-like viruses and between 500 thousand and one million individuals of all ages die from multiple organ complications, irrespective of the geographic location. Influenza vaccination is still neglected and the percentage of the global population vaccinated remains low. The first authorization for the use of influenza vaccines in humans was issued in 1941. Currently, many varieties of influenza vaccine are available, containing either fragments of inactivated influenza virus or live vaccine which consists of attenuated virus. The influenza vaccine is most often developed in chick embryos or less frequently in tissue culture such as MDCK and Vero. A variety of inactivated vaccines are registered in Poland. Due to the mutability of the virus, it is not yet possible to develop a universal vaccine, nor can the disease be eradicated; however, prevention is possible by inoculating the greatest percentage of the global population. According to the WHO, Poland is in the penultimate position in Europe in terms of the percentage of the population vaccinated. In the last epidemic season of 2012/2013 only 3.75% of the Polish population was immunized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Most European HCWs feel engaged with influenza vaccination. • Most European HCWs feel confident with advocating vaccination. • HCWs' engagement with influenza vaccination increases with age. • HCWs' hesitant sentiments towards vaccination result in lower rates of uptake. • Diffident sentiments for advocacy make HCWs less likely to recommend vaccination. Abstract Background Annual vaccination is the most effective way to prevent and control the health and economic burden caused by seasonal influenza. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a crucial role in vaccine acceptance and advocacy for their patients. This study explored the drivers of HCWs' vaccine acceptance and advocacy in six European countries. Methods Healthcare workers (mainly general practitioners, specialist physicians, and nurses) voluntarily completed a questionnaire in Bulgaria (N = 485), Czech Republic (N = 518), Kosovo (N = 466), Poland (N = 772), Romania (N = 155), and the United Kingdom (N = 80). Twelve-item scales were used to analyse sentiment clusters for influenza vaccination acceptance and engagement with vaccination advocacy. Past vaccination behaviour and patient recommendation were also evaluated. All data were included in a single analysis. Results For vaccination acceptance, the main cluster (engaged sentiment: 68%) showed strong positive attitudes for influenza vaccination. A second cluster (hesitant sentiment: 32%) showed more neutral attitudes. Cluster membership was predicted by country of origin and age. The odds ratio for past vaccination in the engaged cluster was 39.6 (95% CI 12.21–128.56) although this varied between countries. For vaccination advocacy, the main cluster (confident sentiment: 73%) showed strong positive attitudes towards advocacy; a second cluster (diffident sentiment: 27%) showed neutral attitudes. Cluster membership was predicted by country of origin, age and profession, with specialist physicians being the least likely to belong to the confident sentiment cluster. HCWs characterised by confident advocacy sentiments were also more likely recommend flu vaccination. Again, this association was moderated by country of origin. Conclusions These data show that there is room to improve both vaccination acceptance and advocacy rates in European HCWs, which would be expected to lead to higher rates of HCW vaccination. Benefits that could be expected from such an outcome are improved advocacy and better control of morbidity and mortality related to seasonal influenza infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemispheres in Polish elite athletes participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics. Design: Prospective, observational, cohort study. Setting: Institutional level. Participants: Ninety-seven athletes vaccinated only with the northern hemisphere vaccine; 98 athletes received the southern hemisphere vaccine alone, whereas 39 athletes were vaccinated with both vaccines. Interventions: The athletes were vaccinated with a trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine recommended for the northern hemisphere 2015/2016 and then with the vaccine recommended for the southern hemisphere 2016. Athletes kept a diary of adverse events and effects (if any) on training for 6 days after vaccination. Main Outcome Measures: The percentage of general and local adverse events, number of lost or modified training sessions. Results: Significantly more local adverse events (pain and redness) were found in the group immunized with the vaccine for the northern hemisphere. There were no differences in the frequency of general adverse events and influence on training between groups. Of total 273 athletes who had 1911 training days during 6 days after vaccination, 6 athletes (2.2%) lost 13 training days (0.7%) and 16 athletes (5.9%) had to modify 34 (1.7%) training days within first 2 days after vaccination. Conclusions: Athletes tolerated influenza immunization well. If they are going to travel to the other hemisphere during the influenza season, the use of the second influenza vaccine should be advised. Athletes should anticipate modification of trainings for 2 days after vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]