Seasonal influenza vaccination in Europe : overview of vaccination recommendations and coverage rates in the EU Member States for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 influenza seasons

In Europe, influenza occurs in regular annual epidemics in the winter season. Annual influenza epidemics are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Severe illness and complications are more common in certain risk groups. These include those with chronic medical conditions (e.g. cardiovascular, respiratory, renal and hepatic diseases, diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, obesity, children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy) and individuals 65 years of age and above. The main public health intervention to prevent influenza is vaccination. To protect vulnerable individuals and reduce transmission, vaccination is also recommended for healthcare workers (HCWs). The aim of this survey was to provide an update on seasonal influenza immunisation policies and obtain vaccination coverage rates in European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) Member States for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 influenza seasons. A standardised questionnaire was developed and made available as an online survey. The survey was rolled out in December 2015. Experts in each Member State entered data directly online. Of 31 Member States invited to participate in the survey, 30 responded. Luxembourg did not respond to the survey. The United Kingdom provided data separately for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.