Influenza vaccine: a travelers’ vaccine?

Abstract

Seasonal influenza affects 5–15% of the world’s population annually and is considered to be the second most frequent vaccine-preventable infection in travelers. Despite increasing travel volume worldwide, guidelines on influenza vaccination for international travel are scarce. On the basis of some national recommendations, influenza vaccine should be used based on host criteria to usual risk groups, such as old (>50–65 years) or young (6–23 months) age and those with comorbidities. Additionally, environmental and behavioral factors must be considered. Close contact with high transmission has been documented in cruise ships and during mass gatherings. Travelers crossing to the opposite hemisphere in influenza-peak season may need protection. Those visiting the tropics are at moderate risk of infection and illness during the entire year. A summary on existing traveler recommendations relating to avian influenza is included.

Keywords::

• influenza
• pandemic influenza
• travel
• vaccine

Financial & competing interests disclosure

R Steffen has accepted fees for speaking, organizing and chairing education, consulting and/or serving on advisory boards, and reimbursement for attending meetings and funds for research from Astral, Baxter, Berna Biotech/Crucell, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Vaccine, Optimer, Roche, Salix, Sanofi Pasteur MSD and/or SBL Vaccine. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.