Universal influenza vaccination: A mexican expert position paper [Vacunación universal contra el virus de la influenza: Consenso de expertos en méxico] Review uri icon

abstract

  • Influenza is a costly disease for the population. It is a cause of seasonal morbidity and mortality, epidemics and pandemics or syndemics. Given the variability of the virus, surveillance systems are implemented in order to update the strains and include them in the annual influenza vaccine. This vaccine is currently recommended in some high-risk groups. However, universal vaccination remains controversial. Objective: To evaluate the evidence and describe the position of a panel of experts on the relevance of universal vaccination against influenza virus. Material and methods: Five clinical questions were asked, where-by a systematic search of the literature in electronic sources and a Delphi panel was carried out. The evidence was analyzed and recommendations were issued by the experts. Results: The group of experts recommends vaccinating the population starting at six months of age include people who live with egg protein allergy; with comorbidities (diabetes, obesity, cancer) health workers and pregnant women. Conclusions: Vaccination, starting with vulnerable groups, is a necessary, ethical and cost-effective strategy. However, extending coverage to achieve universal vaccination could reduce the transmission of the disease and its consequences in the population. /© 2021 Academia Nacional de Medicina de México, A.C. Publicado por Permanyer.

publication date

  • 2021-01-01