Influenza is a disease that causes a significant burden of disease worldwide every year, and specifically in the child population, also causing frequent complications. Although mortality in children under 15 years of age is very low, in Spain it causes a high number of medical visits to Primary Care, use of antibiotics and hospital admissions.
There are five vaccines marketed in Spain, all of them with a good safety profile and acceptable efficacy. The actual health benefits of vaccination range depending on the vaccine used and the specific flu viruses circulating each season.
International organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) or the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recommend vaccination against influenza in children between 6 and 59 months, as well as in several countries of our environment. In Spain, flu vaccination is currently recommended for children with high-risk conditions, reaching low coverage.
After conducting a review of the scientific literature and an evaluation of vaccination against influenza in children between 6 and 59 months of age, its incorporation into the vaccination schedule is recommended. In addition, in order to achieve good coverage in the implementation of the program, the use of a single dose is also recommended in those people not previously vaccinated. The vaccination recommendation is maintained for children over 59 months of age and with risk conditions, as well as their close contacts.
- Recommendation
- Europe
- Spain
- Newborn
- Children
- Influenza
