Mandatory influenza vaccination

Influenza is a viral illness easily transmitted from person to person through air droplets passed by sneezing, coughing and a lack of adherence to appropriate handwashing guidelines.

Influenza tends to spread rapidly in seasonal epidemics. In temperate climates, epidemics usually occur during the autumn and winter months. Worldwide, annual epidemics result in 3–5 million cases of serious illness resulting in 250,000–500,000 deaths. At greatest risk of developing complications are adults >65 years of age, children <2 years and those with medical conditions that increase the likelihood of complications. Most influenza deaths occur in people >65 years old.

Vaccination is the principal measure for preventing influenza and reducing its impact. Safe and effective vaccines have been available for more than 60 years. Among healthy adults, influenza vaccines prevent 70–90% of influenza-specific illness. Among the elderly, vaccination can reduce severe illness and complications by up to 65% and deaths by 80%.

How well the influenza works (or its ability to prevent influenza illness) can range widely from season to season and can also vary depending on who is being vaccinated. At least two factors play an important role in determining influenza vaccine effectiveness – characteristics of the person being vaccinated (such as their age and health) and the similarity or ‘match’ between the influenza viruses in the vaccine and those spreading in the community. The most common side-effects of the injectable (inactivated) influenza vaccine include soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection. These reactions are temporary and occur in 15–20% of recipients.