Why should influenza be a public health priority?

Abstract

Flu risk and burden much higher than assumed: Each year, influenza affects hundreds of millions of people. In order to limit the burden, influenza should remain at the top of the public health priority list. But influenza has attracted less attention recently and priorities and perceptions now differ around the globe, varying with the different cultural and economical contexts. For example, priorities in less-developed countries differ from those in developed countries. For this reason, every approach for raising awareness needs to be tailor-made, capable of responding to every specific stakeholder context. New evidence underpins the effectiveness of flu vaccination in reducing coronary heart disease and death, providing vaccine advocacy with a powerful argument.

Keywords: Influenza.