Routine vaccinations

Up to 50 million people annually are infected with seasonal influenza (flu) in EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and between 15 000 and 70 000 people die due to related causes (ECDC, 2022[1]). Older people and immuno-compromised individuals are at greatest risk of developing serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia and sepsis, which can result in severe illness or death. Although influenza vaccination is never wholly protective against all influenza viruses that may spread in a given year, it does offer some protection and can effectively reduce disease severity. WHO recommends that at least 75% of older people should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. A 2009 EU Council Recommendation also set a goal of 75% vaccination coverage among older people (European Union, 2009[2]). All EU countries have national recommendations to promote influenza vaccination among older people, although the specific age threshold varies across countries.