Influenza vaccine: past, present and future

Abstract

Japan has ever based its policy for controlling influenza on a strategy of vaccinating schoolchildren. Mass immunization program for schoolchildren began in 1962. The government discontinued the program in 1994, because of growing doubt about its effectiveness. However, it was recently reported that vaccinating schoolchildren against influenza provides protection and reduces mortality from influenza among elderly persons. Instead, Japanese government will begin a vaccination program for elderly persons, because the excess mortality rates increased, as the vaccination of schoolchildren was discontinued. Although vaccination rate of Japan is the lowest in developed countries at present, the supply of influenza vaccine increases double every year.