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eAPICON 2021: Adult Immunization Symposium - Importance of influenza vaccination in adults

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Dr Leong Hoe Nam    07 March 2021

  • Global annual influenza epidemics affect 5-10% of adults and 20-30% of children. It leads to 3-5 million cases of severe disease and result in up to 650,000 deaths.
  • Flu viruses come and go; but it will come back.
  • Influenza pandemics cause substantial morbidity and mortality. The 1918 Spanish flu (H1N1) saw 50-100 million deaths; 1957 Asian flu (H2N2) saw 2 million deaths; 1968 Hong Kong flu (H3N2) saw 1 million deaths; 2009 (H1N1) flu saw 200,000 deaths.
  • There are four circulating strains now.
  • Flu B diverged – two strains.
  • COVID year – Number of specimens positive for influenza decreased in both Northern and Southern hemispheres, but despite the low numbers of influenza, it will rise again when masks or safe distancing are relaxed.
  • Quadrivalent influenza vaccine is the new standard.
  • There is a significant disease burden of influenza B – It represents nearly 25% of circulating influenza strains.
  • Circulating B lineage may vary between countries in the same year and in the same region.
  • Influenza B causes epidemics about every 2-4 years.
  • Symptoms of influenza A and B infections are similar.
  • Individual level risk of hospitalization or mortality are also similar between influenza A and B.
  • Influenza increases the risk of exacerbation and hospitalization in patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
  • Influenza immunization benefits in NCDs – Prevent infection; protect against NCDs (heart attack, stroke); protect against complications from existing NCDs.
  • Influenza vaccination reduces cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

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