[Influenza. Consequences for health and prevention]

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Context:

• Influenza epidemics are associated with substantial morbidity, excess mortality, and increased hospital admissions.
• Excess deaths range from 170-320 per million population per epidemic.
• High-risk groups, including those with chronic pulmonary and circulatory conditions and residents of nursing homes, experience disproportionately greater mortality.

Purpose:

• To review the impact of influenza epidemics on public health.
• To evaluate the efficacy of influenza vaccination and antiviral chemoprophylaxis.
• To provide recommendations for optimizing influenza prevention strategies.

Summary:

• Influenza vaccination provides approximately 70% protection with minimal side effects.
• Amantadine and rimantadine chemoprophylaxis offer 80-90% protection against Influenza A.
• Recommendations are provided for combining or substituting vaccination with chemoprophylaxis in specific scenarios.

Impact:

• Highlights the significant public health burden of influenza epidemics.
• Emphasizes the importance of high vaccination rates, particularly in at-risk populations.
• Suggests strategies for improving vaccination coverage through education, program planning, and support for high-risk groups.