Table 1.

Recommendations for vaccination against influenza (ACIP, 2011) [19].

The Advisory Committee on Immunization (ACIP – Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices), together with WHO, each year make recommendations regarding vaccination against influenza. According to them, the indications for the use of inactivated vaccines with split virion and subunit vaccines are as follows.

Clinical indications for influenza vaccination High-risk groups particularly vulnerable to the occurrence of complications of influenza

Currently, it is recommended influenza vaccination for all persons, from 6 months old. Particular attention is, however, that vaccination should be extended to particular groups as follows:

organ transplant individuals

all children aged 6 months – 4 years (59 months)

all persons aged ≥50 years, because in this group greatly increases the number of people belonging to high risk groups

adults and children who have chronic pulmonary(including asthma), or cardiovascular (except isolated hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological, hematologic or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);

persons who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)

women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season

children and adolescents (aged 6 months old - 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;

residents of nursing homes, and other long-term- health care facilities

persons who are morbidly obese (BMI ≥40)

Epidemiological indications for influenza vaccination

Persons who live with or care for person at higher risk for influenza-related complication (persons who can transmit influenza to persons at high risk and healthy people could be a source of infection for these persons):

HCP

household contacts and caregivers of children aged ≥5 years and adults aged ≥50 years, with particular emphasis on vaccinating of children aged ≥6 months;

household contacts and caregivers of person with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza

All health professionals; doctors, nurses and other staff of hospitals and outpatient centers, emergency services,

employees of nursing homes and care facilities who have contact with inmates or patients (including children), as well as persons providing home care to patients with high-risk groups

family members of persons belonging to high risk groups

cashiers, policemen, soldiers, teachers, kindergarten, journalists, construction workers, shop assistants shops and stores, craft service, etc.

people caring for children under the age of 5 years,

public service employees, such as conductors, workers, shop and stores, craft service etc