scholarly journals Heterogeneous influenza activity across Europe during the winter of 2002-2003

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 230-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
W J Paget ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
H Rebelo de Andrade ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Virus Strains

Influenza activity varied across Europe during the 2002-2003 season both in terms of the intensity of clinical activity and the circulating virus types/subtypes. Influenza B was generally predominant in the 'western' parts of Europe (Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and Ireland) and influenza A (H3N2) in the 'central' and 'eastern´ areas (Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, the Netherlands). A number of countries experienced mixed seasons, first experiencing activity associated with influenza B and then with influenza A (Belgium, France and Spain). Generally, countries where influenza B was predominant had low (compared to historical data) levels of intensity (a mild season) and longer periods of influenza activity compared to countries where influenza A (H3N2) was predominant. A number of countries, all where influenza A (H3N2) was predominant, reported high levels of intensity compared to historical data: the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany and Poland. In the six countries where age-specific incidence rates were available, the highest rates were observed among those aged 0-14 years. The influenza virus strains circulating in Europe had a good match with the virus strains in the influenza vaccine. A small number of isolates (A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like) were reported at the end of the season that had a reduced reactivity to anti-sera of the vaccine strain. The composition of the 2003-2004 influenza vaccine is the same as during the 2002-2003 season.

scholarly journals Mild to moderate influenza activity in Europe and the detection of novel A(H1N2) and B viruses during the winter of 2001-02

2002 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 147-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
W J Paget ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
N L Goddard ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Influenza B Virus ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
H1n2 Virus ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Virus Strains

Influenza activity in Europe during the 2001-02 influenza season was mild to moderate. Compared to historical data, the intensity was low in six countries, medium in eleven and high in one country (Spain). The dominant virus circulating in Europe was influenza A(H3N2). Two novel influenza virus strains were isolated during the 2001-02 season: influenza A(H1N2) viruses (mainly isolated in the United Kingdom and Ireland, but also in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and Romania), and influenza B viruses belonging to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage (mainly isolated in Germany, but also sporadically in France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway). With the exception of H1N2 virus detections in England, and Ireland and the influenza B viruses belonging to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage in Germany, these two viruses did not circulate widely in Europe and did not play an important role in influenza activity during the 2001-02 season. An influenza B virus belonging to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage will be included in the 2002-03 influenza vaccine. The new subtype influenza A(H1N2) is covered by the 2002-03 vaccine, as the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase components of the H1N2 viruses are antigenically similar to the vaccine components (H1N1 and H3N2).

scholarly journals Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Europe during the 2003-2004 season

2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
W J Paget ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
A Meijer ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Virus Strain ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Sporadic Cases

The 2003-2004 influenza season in Europe was dominated by the spread of the new drift variant A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like virus which was not perfectly matched with the A(H3N2) component of the influenza vaccine. Sporadic cases of this virus were detected in Europe at the end of the 2002-2003 season and influenza activity associated with this virus began relatively early during the 2003-2004 season. Generally, influenza activity first occurred in the west of Europe (Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Iberian Peninsula) in October/November and gradually moved east across Europe, affecting Latvia, Lithuania and Poland during the months of January and February 2004. In general, the intensity of clinical activity was higher than during the 2002-2003 season (in 13 out of 20 networks) and, in countries reporting age specific data, the highest consultation incidences were observed among children aged 0-14. However, despite the emergence of the A(H3N2) drift variant, clinical incidences were not especially high compared with historical data. The composition of the 2004-2005 influenza vaccine has been modified compared with the 2003-2004 season and includes an A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2)-like virus strain and a new B virus strain (a B/Shanghai/361/2002-like virus).

scholarly journals Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Europe, during the 2006-2007 winter

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (34) ◽  
Author(s):  
J MS Arkema ◽  
A Meijer ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
J Van Der Velden ◽  
W J Paget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Vaccine Virus ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Influenza Like Illness ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Virus Strains

Influenza surveillance in Europe is based on influenza surveillance networks that cooperate and share information through the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS). EISS collected clinical and virological data on influenza in 33 countries during the 2006-2007 winter. Influenza activity started around 1 January and first occurred in Greece, Scotland and Spain. It then moved gradually across Europe from south to north and lasted until the end of March. In 29 out of 33 countries, the consultation rates for influenza-like-illness or acute respiratory infections in the winter of 2006-2007 were similar or somewhat higher than in the 2005-2006 winter. The highest consultation rates for influenza-like-illness were generally observed among children aged 0-4 years and 5-14 years. The predominant virus strain was influenza A (97% of total detections) of the H3 subtype (93% of H-subtyped A viruses; 7% were A(H1)). The influenza A(H3) and A(H1) viruses were similar to the vaccine reference strains for the 2006-2007 season, A/Wisconsin/67/2005 (H3N2) and A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1) respectively. The majority of the influenza B viruses were similar to the reference strain B/Malaysia/2506/2004, included in the 2006-2007 vaccine. In conclusion, the 2006-2007 influenza season in Europe was characterised by moderate clinical activity, a south to north spread pattern across Europe, and a dominance of influenza A(H3). Overall there was a good match between the vaccine virus strains and the reported virus strains.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine for adults and children in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care in the United Kingdom: 2015/16 end-of-season results

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (38) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Pebody ◽  
Fiona Warburton ◽  
Joanna Ellis ◽  
Nick Andrews ◽  
Alison Potts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Immunisation Programme ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
The Uk

The United Kingdom (UK) is in the third season of introducing universal paediatric influenza vaccination with a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). The 2015/16 season in the UK was initially dominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and then influenza of B/Victoria lineage, not contained in that season’s adult trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). Overall adjusted end-of-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 52.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.0–61.6) against influenza-confirmed primary care consultation, 54.5% (95% CI: 41.6–64.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 54.2% (95% CI: 33.1–68.6) against influenza B. In 2–17 year-olds, adjusted VE for LAIV was 57.6% (95% CI: 25.1 to 76.0) against any influenza, 81.4% (95% CI: 39.6–94.3) against influenza B and 41.5% (95% CI: −8.5 to 68.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. These estimates demonstrate moderate to good levels of protection, particularly against influenza B in children, but relatively less against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Despite lineage mismatch in the trivalent IIV, adults younger than 65 years were still protected against influenza B. These results provide reassurance for the UK to continue its influenza immunisation programme planned for 2016/17.

scholarly journals Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Europe during the winter 2005-2006

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 11-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Meijer ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
L. E. Meuwissen ◽  
J Van Der Velden ◽  
W J Paget ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Influenza B Virus ◽  
Random Pattern ◽  
Clinical Activity ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Spread Pattern

Influenza activity in Europe during the winter 2005-2006 started late January - early February 2006 and first occurred in the Netherlands, France, Greece and England. Subsequently, countries were affected in a random pattern across Europe and the period of influenza activity lasted till the end of April. In contrast to the winter seasons in the period 2001-2005, no west-east pattern was detected. In 12 out of 23 countries, the consultation rates for influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection in the winter 2005-2006 were similar or higher than in the winter 2004-2005, despite a dominance of influenza B viruses that normally cause milder disease than influenza A viruses. In the remaining 11 countries the consultation rates were lower to much lower than in the winter 2004-2005. The highest consultation rates were usually observed among children aged 0-14. The circulating influenza virus types and subtypes were distributed heterogeneously across Europe. Although the figures for total virus detections in Europe indicated a predominance of influenza B virus (58% of all virus detections), in many countries influenza B virus was predominant only early in the winter, whilst later there was a marked increase in influenza A virus detections. Among the countries where influenza A viruses were co-dominant with B viruses (9/29) or were predominant (4/29), the dominant influenza A subtype was H3 in seven countries and H1 in four countries. The vast majority of characterised influenza B viruses (90%) were similar to the B/Victoria/2/87 lineage of influenza B viruses that re-emerged in Europe in the winter 2004-2005 but were not included in the vaccine for the influenza season 2005-2006. This might help to explain the dominance of influenza B viruses in many countries in Europe during the winter 2005-2006. The influenza A(H3) and A(H1) viruses were similar to the reference strains included in the 2005-2006 vaccine, A/California/7/2004 (H3N2) and A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), respectively. In conclusion, the 2005-2006 influenza epidemic in Europe was characterised by moderate clinical activity, a heterogeneous spread pattern across Europe, and a variable virus dominance by country, although an overall dominance of influenza B viruses that did not match the virus strain included in the vaccine was observed.

scholarly journals Virological analysis of fatal influenza cases in the United Kingdom during the early wave of influenza in winter 2010/11

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Ellis ◽  
M Galiano ◽  
R Pebody ◽  
A Lackenby ◽  
CI Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
Severe Illness ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Children And Young Adults

The 2010/11 winter influenza season is underway in the United Kingdom, with co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1)2009 (antigenically similar to the current 2010/11 vaccine strain), influenza B (mainly B/Victoria/2/87 lineage, similar to the 2010/11 vaccine strain) and a few sporadic influenza A(H3N2) viruses. Clinical influenza activity has been increasing. Severe illness, resulting in hospitalisation and deaths, has occurred in children and young adults and has predominantly been associated with influenza A(H1N1)2009, but also influenza B viruses.

scholarly journals Uptake and effectiveness of influenza vaccine in those aged 65 years and older in the United Kingdom, influenza seasons 2010/11 to 2016/17

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (39) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G Pebody ◽  
Fiona Warburton ◽  
Nick Andrews ◽  
Mary Sinnathamby ◽  
Ivelina Yonova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Attributable Mortality ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Age Group ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
Influenza A H1n1

Background In 2016/17, seasonal influenza vaccine was less effective in those aged 65 years and older in the United Kingdom. We describe the uptake, influenza-associated mortality and adjusted vaccine effectiveness (aVE) in this age group over influenza seasons 2010/11–2016/17. Methods: Vaccine uptake in 2016/17 and five previous seasons were measured using a sentinel general practitioners cohort in England; the test-negative case-control design was used to estimate pooled aVE by subtype and age group against laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care from 2010–2017. Results: Vaccine uptake was 64% in 65–69-year-olds, 74% in 70–74-year-olds and 80% in those aged 75 and older. Overall aVE was 32.5% (95% CI: 11.6 to 48.5); aVE by sub-type was 60.8% (95% CI: 33.9 to 76.7) and 50.0% (95% CI: 21.6 to 68.1) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B, respectively, but only 5.6% (95% CI: - 39.2 to 35.9) against A(H3N2). Against all laboratory-confirmed influenza aVE was 45.2% (95% CI: 25.1 to 60.0) in 65–74 year olds; - 26.2% (95% CI: - 149.3 to 36.0) in 75–84 year olds and - 3.2% (95% CI: - 237.8 to 68.5) in those aged 85 years and older. Influenza-attributable mortality was highest in seasons dominated by A(H3N2). Conclusions: Vaccine uptake with non-adjuvanted, normal-dose vaccines remained high, with evidence of effectiveness against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and B, though poor against A(H3N2), particularly in those aged 75 years and older. Forthcoming availability of newly licensed vaccines with wider use of antivirals can potentially further improve prevention and control of influenza in this group.

scholarly journals Age-specific vaccine effectiveness of seasonal 2010/2011 and pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 vaccines in preventing influenza in the United Kingdom

2012 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 620-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. PEBODY ◽  
N. ANDREWS ◽  
D. M. FLEMING ◽  
J. McMENAMIN ◽  
S. COTTRELL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Pandemic Influenza ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Control Study

SUMMARYAn analysis was undertaken to measure age-specific vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 2010/11 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (TIV) and monovalent 2009 pandemic influenza vaccine (PIV) administered in 2009/2010. The test-negative case-control study design was employed based on patients consulting primary care. Overall TIV effectiveness, adjusted for age and month, against confirmed influenza A(H1N1)pdm 2009 infection was 56% (95% CI 42–66); age-specific adjusted VE was 87% (95% CI 45–97) in <5-year-olds and 84% (95% CI 27–97) in 5- to 14-year-olds. Adjusted VE for PIV was only 28% (95% CI −6 to 51) overall and 72% (95% CI 15–91) in <5-year-olds. For confirmed influenza B infection, TIV effectiveness was 57% (95% CI 42–68) and in 5- to 14-year-olds 75% (95% CI 32–91). TIV provided moderate protection against the main circulating strains in 2010/2011, with higher protection in children. PIV administered during the previous season provided residual protection after 1 year, particularly in the <5 years age group.

scholarly journals Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Europe, during the 2004-2005 winter

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 9-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Meijer ◽  
W J Paget ◽  
T J Meerhoff ◽  
C S Brown ◽  
L. E. Meuwissen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Influenza Season ◽  
World Health ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
The West ◽  
Influenza Activity ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
H3 Subtype ◽  
Reference Strains

The 2004-2005 influenza season in Europe started in late December 2004 and the first influenza activity occurred in the west and southwest (Spain, United Kingdom and Ireland). Influenza activity then moved gradually east across Europe during January and early February 2005, and from late February until late March, most movement was south to north. The intensity of clinical influenza activity in ten out of 23 countries was higher than during the 2003-2004 season, and lower or equal to the 2003-2004 season in the other 13 countries. The highest consultation rates were generally observed among children aged 0-14 years. However, the peak consultation rates due to influenza-like illness or acute respiratory infection were not especially high when compared with historical data. The predominant virus strain was influenza A (83% of total detections) of the H3 subtype (85% of H-subtyped A viruses), with fewer influenza B (17% of total detections) or A(H1) viruses (15 % of H-subtyped A viruses) detected. The vast majority of A(H3) viruses were similar to the reference strains A/Wellington/1/2004 (H3N2) and, subsequently, A/California/7/2004 (H3N2) that are closely related drift variants of the A/Fujian/411/2002 (H3N2) prototype vaccine strain. The B viruses co-circulated with A viruses during the whole influenza season in 11 out of 24 countries. Seven of these were located in the northeast of Europe and in these countries the proportion of B viruses was higher (range: 31-60%) than in the rest of Europe (range: 6-26%). In 13 out of 24 countries the B viruses circulated relatively late in the season. About 43% of all antigenically characterised B viruses were B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like (B/Victoria/2/87 lineage), a strain that is distinguishable from the vaccine influenza B strain, which was a B/Yamagata/16/88 lineage virus. Based on the viruses detected worldwide until February 2005, the World Health Organization modified the composition of the 2005-2006 influenza vaccine from the 2004-2005 season vaccine to include a new A(H3N2) component: an A/California/7/2004 (H3N2)-like virus.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care in the United Kingdom: 2014/15 end of season results

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (36) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Pebody ◽  
Fiona Warburton ◽  
Nick Andrews ◽  
Joanna Ellis ◽  
Beatrix von Wissmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Influenza B ◽  
Significant Protection ◽  
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
The Uk

The 2014/15 influenza season in the United Kingdom (UK) was characterised by circulation of predominantly antigenically and genetically drifted influenza A(H3N2) and B viruses. A universal paediatric influenza vaccination programme using a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) has recently been introduced in the UK. This study aims to measure the end-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE), including for LAIV, using the test negative case–control design. The overall adjusted VE against all influenza was 34.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 17.8 to 47.5); for A(H3N2) 29.3% (95% CI: 8.6 to 45.3) and for B 46.3% (95% CI: 13.9 to 66.5). For those aged under 18 years, influenza A(H3N2) LAIV VE was 35% (95% CI: −29.9 to 67.5), whereas for influenza B the LAIV VE was 100% (95% CI:17.0 to 100.0). Although the VE against influenza A(H3N2) infection was low, there was still evidence of significant protection, together with moderate, significant protection against drifted circulating influenza B viruses. LAIV provided non-significant positive protection against influenza A, with significant protection against B. Further work to assess the population impact of the vaccine programme across the UK is underway.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document