The EU continues to fall short of achieving optimal vaccination coverage against influenza and COVID-19.

vaccination against seasonal flu and COVID-19 in risk groups “was not optimal” in several European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) member states in the 2023–2024 season. This is evidenced by two reports published by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

For the analyzed period (from September 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024) seasonal influenza vaccination rates among people aged 65 years and older in the 2023–2024 season. varied significantly between countries (from 12% to 78%), Only two countries exceeded 75% coverage vaccinations in this age group. This highlights the need to put more effort into vaccinations.

Flu vaccination rates among people aged 65 years and older varied widely across countries, with the lowest rate being 12% and the highest rate being 78%.

COVID-19 vaccination rate between September 2023 and July 2024 vary even more: from 0.02% to 66.1%, with average coverage is only 14% among people aged 60 and over. In this population, about 28.7 million people have received a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. And among the 28 countries that provided data for this group, no one reported coverage greater than or equal to 80%.

On the other hand, for the group 80 years or moreAbout 7.3 million people have received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Average coverage was 21.5%, with large differences between countries. Among the 27 countries that provided data for this group, three countries reported coverage greater than or equal to 80%.

: Ireland (80.3%), Denmark (88.6%) and Sweden (93.9%).

In Ireland, Denmark and Sweden alone, COVID-19 vaccination coverage among people aged 80 years and over exceeds 80%.

In this sense, the document emphasizes that most of the approx. 31.3 million vaccine doses against COVID-19 introduced in the EU/EEA there were Comirnaty Omicron XBB.1.5 (Pfizer/BioNTech) in the general population during this period.

Thus, approximately 24 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been administered (76.7% of the total). Likewise, about 687,529 doses (2.2% of the total) of the Nuvaxovid XBB.1.5 vaccine (Novavax) have been administered; 1,254,576 doses (4% of total) were Spikevax XBB.1.5 (Moderna); and about 589 doses (less than 0.1% of the total) were of the Bimervax vaccine (Hipra).

COVID-19 vaccination coverage for people aged 60 years and over in 27 EU/EEA countries from 1 September 2023 to 31 July 2024.

COVID-19 vaccination coverage for people aged 80 years and over in 27 EU/EEA countries from 1 September 2023 to 31 July 2024.

Virus co-circulation

“Vaccination is one of the most effective measures we have to protect the most vulnerable members of society from serious illness, hospitalization and death,” he said. Pamela Rendi-WagnerDirector of ECDC. “With so few countries achieving adequate levels of protection for the target population, it is important to increase vaccination with the onset of the winter season“, he added.

And with the upcoming winter season, co-circulation of seasonal influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruseswhich “will place significant pressure on healthcare systems and will disproportionately affect people at high risk, such as the elderly and people with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions.”

Likewise, ECDC emphasizes vaccination among health workers who are on the front lines due to their exposure to pathogens, interactions with vulnerable patients, and preventing staff shortages.

In addition to vaccination, it is also important to consider other basic preventive measures to reduce transmission of the virus. With this in mind, ECDC recommends staying home if you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, practicing respiratory hygiene, washing your hands frequently and ventilating your premises. In addition, it is recommended to use medical mask If symptoms occur, use in crowded areas or near vulnerable people may be considered.

Influenza Recommendations in the States

Most Member States have already launched various recommendations by population groups with risk conditions for this vaccination campaign in 2023-2024. In general, EU and EEA countries continue to recommend influenza vaccination to target groups (older people, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women and healthcare workers).

IN children and teenagers20 EU/EEA countries have reported age recommendations, regardless of underlying diseases, for the 2023–2024 season. This is an increase from the 2020/21 season, when only 14 countries had recommendations.

In recent years, in some countries expanded recommendations for influenza vaccination in children, which “suggests an important public health effort to strengthen seasonal influenza prevention by increasing vaccine availability to groups likely to benefit most from the program.” However, when analyzing the effectiveness of these programs based on reported national vaccination coverage data, “it is clear that the policy still does not reach a sufficient level of recognition among key target groups,” says ECDC.

Regarding vaccination in elderly peopleall countries issued recommendations, although there were some variations in the lower age limitwhose age ranged from 50 to 65 years. Average vaccination coverage in 2023-24 was 45.7%, compared to 59% in 2020-21. However, the ECDC warns that seasonal influenza vaccination programs in this group may be in decline after years of stagnation before the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, regarding vaccination of people with chronic diseasesall EU/EEA countries had specific recommendations last season. Despite slight differences in the diseases covered, all countries recommended the vaccine for pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal and chronic metabolic diseases, as well as immunosuppression

.

In women pregnantthere was only one country that did not have recommendations at the national level. Compared to the 2020-21 season, the two countries have expanded their programs to include all pregnant women, regardless of their health status. Of these 29 countries, eight reported influenza vaccination rates (range: 1–58%) in the 2023–2024 season.

And finally, about vaccination in medical staffTwenty-three EU/EEA countries made recommendations, and a further six countries recommended the vaccine for specific healthcare personnel, such as those in close contact with patients or contaminated materials.

The ECDC concludes that most countries are “still far from achieving adequate levels of protection for key groups.” “Seasonal influenza vaccination remains a key public health intervention, so it is critical to implement specific strategies to combat seasonal influenza. increase vaccine acceptance and remove barriers to vaccination“, the European organization points out.

In addition, he believes that there is an “important need develop a new generation of influenza vaccines equally safe but more effective, which can help combat complacency and increase confidence in this life-saving vaccination programme.”