Influenza viruses pose a particular challenge for those designing vaccines for humans. Much of the protective immunity that humans have against these viruses following natural infection or vaccination is due to immunological recognition of the haemagglutinin (HA) surface glycoprotein.
Since the 21 June, ECDC has published on its website weekly updates on spatial distribution of West Nile fever cases in the European Union and neighbouring countries.
On the 22 November 2011, ECDC organised a workshop at the European Parliament to provide policy makers with more information on the facts about seasonal influenza vaccination and on ECDC’s contributions to the implementation of the 2009 Council Recommendation on this subject.
ECDC publishes weekly West Nile fever maps, based on information provided by the health authorities across Europe, with the objective to inform the national competent authorities about WNV affected areas.
On the 26 October 2011, The Lancet Infectious Diseases published a systematic review and a meta-analysis, combining the results of several studies undertaken on influenza vaccine effectiveness.
This is an authoritative independent evidence-based review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines. It confines itself to trials and observational studies where diagnostic tests confirmed influenza infection as the end point.
The one-day workshop was the 2nd of a series of workshops in support to the Council Recommendation of December 2009 that encourages EU and EEA Member States to adopt and implement action plans or policies to improve seasonal influenza vaccination coverage.