An update on the prevention of influenza in children and adolescents

Abstract

Influenza virus types A and B cause yearly outbreaks of respiratory tract infections in all age groups including children and adolescents. Complications, such as high fever, febrile convulsions, secondary bacterial infections and myositis frequently lead to hospitalisation. Safe and effective split, subunit and virosome vaccines are available from 6 months of age onwards. Most European countries do have guidelines for the use of influenza vaccines and current strategies primarily aim at decreasing the burden of influenza disease in certain, heterogeneously defined high risk groups. Conclusion: Unfortunately, compliance of many physicians and patients with immunisation recommendations is rather poor and several barriers to immunisation have been identified. These deserve our specific attention in the future. Recently, neuraminidase inhibitors with curative and preventive efficacy against influenza virus types A and B have become available. They serve as second line weapons for influenza prophylaxis under specific circumstances.