National seasonal influenza vaccination programmes in Europe

Influenza is among the leading causes of infectious disease morbidity and mortality in Europe. It is hence high time to take the policy discussion about influenza forward, and put the issue back on the agenda of European and national policy makers.

By Pasi Penttinen, acting head of the Disease Programme for Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)