One step closer to influenza vaccine inclusiveness

• Published in: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Vol. 31; no. S26; pp. 69 - 71
• Main Authors: Sgrulletti, Mayla, Ottaviano, Giorgio, Sangerardi, Maria, Chini, Loredana, Dellepiane, Rosa Maria, Martire, Baldassarre, Montin, Davide, Rizzo, Caterina, Moschese, Viviana, Marseglia, Gian Luigi
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2020; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Asthma; children; Chronic illnesses; Contraindications; Immunodeficiency; Influenza; influenza vaccine; Morbidity; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy complications; Risk factors; Supplement; universal vaccine; Vaccines; influenza vaccine; universal vaccine; asthma; immunodeficiency; children; pregnancy
• ISSN: 0905-6157; 1399-3038
• DOI: 10.1111/pai.13338

Flu virus infection is a common cause of acute respiratory illness, with the major incidence in pediatric age, high morbidity, and mortality. The flu vaccine is recommended for all people aged ≥6 months, unless specific contraindications are present. Younger and older age, pregnancy, chronic diseases like asthma, and immunodeficiency are risk factors for severe complications following flu infection. Thus, these categories represent the target for flu vaccine strategies in most countries. Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV), recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) or live‐attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) are currently available, with specific precautions and contraindications. We aim to resume the current indications for vaccines in the vulnerable populations to support flu vaccination inclusiveness, in anticipation of a “universal vaccine” strategy.