New advice from WHO on vaccination for H1N1

Items on the agenda included the status of vaccine availability, results from clinical trials on vaccine immunogenicity, and early results from safety monitoring in countries where administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine is currently under way. The experts also advised WHO on the number of doses of vaccine needed to confer protection, also in different age groups, the co-administration of seasonal and pandemic vaccines, and vaccines for use in pregnant women. Recommendations on the formulation of seasonal influenza vaccines for the southern hemisphere in 2010 were also provided.

Teenagers and young adults most affected Globally, teenagers and young adults account for the majority of cases, with rates of hospitalization highest in very young children. Overall, from 7% to 10% of all hospitalized patients are pregnant women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy. Based on these and other current findings, the experts made a number of recommendations.

SAGE recommended the use of a single dose of vaccine in adults and adolescents, beginning at the age of 10 years, provided such use is consistent with indications from regulatory authorities. Data on immunogenicity in children older than 6 months and younger than 10 years are limited and more studies are needed.

As regard vaccine safety, the first results of the monitoring of people who have received pandemic vaccines found no indication of unusual adverse reactions. Some adverse events following vaccination have been notified, but these are well within the range of those seen with seasonal vaccines.

Current focus is on Ukraine Moreover, the focus is currently on the Ukraine. On 28 October 2009, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine informed WHO, through its Country Office in Ukraine, about an unusually high level of activity of acute respiratory illness in the western part of the country, associated with an increased number of hospital admissions and fatalities. The country has now recorded more than 250 000 cases of influenza-like illness, with 235 patients requiring intensive care. As of 2 November, 70 deaths from acute respiratory illness have been reported.

Public health measures recommended by the Ministry of Health of Ukraine across the entire country include: social distancing (school closures and cancellation of mass gatherings); enhancement of surveillance activities; increased respiratory hygiene; and continuation of the vaccination campaign against seasonal influenza targeting at risk groups.

WHO is following very closely the national situations.

For further information:
 DG SANCO Webpage on the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009
 WHO lastest news on the Pandemic

EPHA related articles:
 *Updated* EU Strategy on Pandemic H1N1 2009
 Guidelines on the Use of Pandemic H1N1 Vaccines
 Cristian Busoi MEP hosts "Pandemic Flu: Public Health Approaches" organised by Fundamed with the support of EPHA
 European Commission Proposal for a Council Recommendation on Seasonal Influenza Vaccination
 Council of the European Union recommendation on seasonal influenza vaccination