Influenza vaccines: a review and rationale for use in developed and underdeveloped countries

Multiple studies have demonstrated that influenza infection results in cons iderable morbidity and mortality, as well as other economic consequences, s uch as school and work absenteeism, influenza vaccine has been shown to be both cost-effective and cost-saving, Despite this, the influenza vaccine ap pears to be under-utilized throughout the world. with significant variation s both between countries and within countries over time. Data will be discu ssed that provide a rationale for the use of the influenza vaccine to prote ct the public health. Recommendations for the use or the influenza vaccine in various countries and guidelines for influenza vaccine use worldwide wil l be proposed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.