Influenza vaccines are a source of debate. Debate that is not limited to within the vaccine industry. What is your opinion? Tell us below!
Bram Palache, Policy Coordinator, IFMPA/IVS, joined us at the World Influenza Congress to detail his perspective on the future of influenza vaccine supply.
The great paradox of Influenza is that it is a preventable disease, not being prevented. Annual global seasonal flu causes 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness with up to 250,000 to 500,000 deaths (WHO fact sheet 2009.) In the US alone, there are >200,000 hospitalisations and approximately 36,000 deaths. Influenza/pneumonia is the 8th leading cause of death. Curiously, a safe and effective vaccine has been available since the 1950s.
Why is this?
Is it in part bemuse scientific debate on vaccine usefulness has been confounded by methodological complexity?
Is it due to the barriers to implementation of national policies on influenza vaccination?
Is it because the gap between demand and production capacity is too wide?
Why not download the full presentation and find out! Discover more about the future of influenza vaccine supply: establishing long- term sustainability Europe-wide:
· What are the current European projections for seasonal influenza uptake?
· What challenges are inhibiting a comprehensively immunised public population?
· What are the most recent changes in global pandemic and seasonal influenza framework?
· How does this impact on the seasonal supply from industry?