TITLE:
Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates— A Straightforward Task or a Multifaceted Challenge?
AUTHORS:
Ljiljana Trtica-Majnaric
KEYWORDS:
Influenza; Vaccination Rates; Barriers; Challenges
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Vaccines,
Vol.3 No.2,
May
22,
2013
ABSTRACT: Annual vaccination with trivalent inactivated
vaccines has been proven as safe and efficacious in preventing influenza and
its complications. It is recommended especially to the elderly (>65) and
other people at high risk for influenza complications and death such as patients
with chronic medical conditions. Healthcare workers, who are considered to
transmit infection to patients, or reciprocally, can be infected during
encounters with patients, are also strongly advised to regularly receive
vaccines. In order to improve influenza vaccination rates in countries in
Europe, health authorities set targets for vaccination coverage by 2010.
Despite the substantial efforts done, coverage rates maintain low. It is
considered that informed decisions, based on existing evidence, are likely to
cope with improving vaccination rates. Intention
of this manuscript is to address some important issues connected with influenza
vaccination which, to be able to aid the evidence, need to be further
clearified. To support the debate, the author presented some dubious facts from
the own practice experiences. As a long-lasting solution to improve vaccination practice strategies, strengthening programed vaccination is
suggested. This concept would include implementation of nationwide vaccination
protocols and their harmonization by the common logistics, and standardized
data collection based on installation of E-health records. This strategy
would allow data comparison among different populations. As based on this
debate, improving influenza vaccination rates is not likely to be easy to perform
straightforward task, but a multifaceted, long term challenge.