Influenza

SAGE Meetings

Information related to influenza immunization

SAGE meeting of April 2012

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization held its last meeting on 10-12 April. The report of the meeting will be published in the WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record on 25 May 2012.

Statement influenza immunization

SAGE discussed seasonal influenza vaccination and recommended pregnant women as the most important risk group for seasonal influenza vaccination. SAGE also supported the recommendation, in no particular order of priority, of vaccination of the following targeted populations:

  • healthcare workers;
  • children 6 to 59 months of age;
  • the elderly;and
  • those with high-risk conditions.

Countries with existing influenza vaccination programs targeting any of these groups should continue to do so and incorporate immunization of pregnant women into such programs, SAGE reported. If they have not already done so, countries should decide which other risk groups to prioritize for vaccination based on burden of disease, cost-effectiveness, feasibility and other appropriate considerations.

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