Influenza vaccination among older individuals within the European Union has seen ups and downs in recent years. In 2022, only 48.2% of individuals aged 65 and older had received the vaccine, reflecting a decrease from the 50.8% reached in 2021. Throughout the past decade, the year 2009 marked the highest milestone with a 54.6% vaccination rate, while the lowest point was recorded in 2015 with 40%.
Country-specific analysis reveals significant differences. In 2022, Denmark topped the list with a 78% vaccination rate in older adults, closely followed by Portugal with 75.8% and Ireland with 75.4%. These figures contrast with the low rates observed in Slovakia, Poland, and Bulgaria, where rates of 5.6%, 8.6%, and 10.4% were recorded respectively.
As for influenza mortality, 363 deaths were reported within the EU in 2021, corresponding to a standardized rate of 0.07 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. Individuals aged 65 and older were the most affected, with a rate of 0.30. Bulgaria had the highest mortality rate, reaching 0.69 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, and 2.84 among those aged 65 and older. Sweden and Malta also had high mortality rates.
However, in six EU countries, specifically Estonia, Ireland, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Luxembourg, no deaths were reported due to influenza in 2021.
The clear decrease in influenza-related deaths in the past two years, compared to the 10,124 deaths documented in 2019 and 5,709 in 2020, could be linked to public health measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions included intensified vaccination strategies, adherence to social distancing guidelines, reinforcement of hygiene practices, and the implementation of global guidelines for recording deaths associated with COVID-19-compatible illnesses.
via: MiMub in Spanish
