HEALTH : SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION: EU NOWHERE NEAR ITS TARGET.

• Position: Brief article

The EU has still not reached the target set in Council Recommendation 2009/1019/EU on seasonal influenza vaccination. According to a progress report, published on 9 January, only one out of 18 member states - the Netherlands - having provided data had vaccinated at least 75% of the elderly during the 2011-2012 period. The UK is not too far off hitting its target - without actually reaching it - with 74% coverage, whereas the coverage rate reported by the 16 other countries varies between 1.7% and 64.1%.

The Council recommendation, adopted on 22 December 2009, urges states to make sure they vaccinate 75% of groups in danger of catching the seasonal influenza during the winter of 2014-2015. The recommendation particularly focuses on the elderly and suggests that this target be extended if possible to groups with chronic medical conditions or vulnerable groups (pregnant...