Influenza

Influenza remains a major public health threat with both seasonal epidemics and uncommon pandemics. Prevention, through both vaccination and non-pharmaceutical interventions, remains the most effective counter to a virus for which there are limited therapeutic options. Influenza vaccination has been a public health priority for over half a century, yet vaccine effectiveness is limited by the need to predict circulating strains well in advance of influenza season, continued viral evolution, and vaccine availability and uptake. Strategies to mitigate the global burden of influenza morbidity and mortality will benefit from active disease surveillance, community and government preparedness, improved therapeutics and vaccines, increased access to available vaccines and therapeutics, and improved uptake of available vaccines.