ECDC has been continuously monitoring the pandemic and regularly updates its risk assessment. This has shown that after transmitting at variable rates over the summer the pandemic is now accelerating in most European countries and all the indications are that this pandemic will be a highly significant event for Europe.
We know that risk groups; people with significant underlying health conditions, pregnant women and young children are especially affected by the virus, but the risk extends to other entirely healthy people. While many people may experience only a mild illness there are many, including young healthy individuals, who will develop severe disease and may die.
EU citizens should continue to take appropriate preventative measures e.g. personal hygiene measures. Vaccines are becoming available across the EU and national vaccination programmes are starting. Given the significant risks to health from the pandemic ECDC would strongly advise all those Europeans who are offered the vaccine to be vaccinated. By being vaccinated you protect not just your own health, but that of the people around you.
Vaccination is always an emotive issue and EU citizens rightly require assurance that vaccines are both safe and effective. Influenza vaccines have been used for more than 60 years and have one of the best record of safety in all age groups. ECDC expects the influenza (H1N1) 2009 vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu and we will continuously monitor their application across the EU to ensure the most up to date information is available to all.
Zsuzsanna Jakab, ECDC Director