Influenza_High-risk and special groups
Some individuals are at increased risk of complications from influenza disease, and may be eligible to receive a funded influenza vaccine. This factsheet identifies those at higher risk of severe outcomes from influenza and who would benefit from vaccination.
Overview
Of those hospitalised for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) in Auckland in 2023, influenza-associated hospitalisation rates were higher in young children (0–4years) and the elderly (≥ 65 years) compared to other age groups, and also higher in Pacific Peoples and Māori ethnic groups compared to other ethnic groups. Influenza can lead to serious complications, such as heart or lung conditions, particularly within these high-risk groups.
References
1. Xie Y, Choi T, Al-Aly Z. Long-term outcomes following hospital admission for COVID-19 versus seasonal influenza: a cohort study. The Lancet. 2023;S1473- 3099(23)00762-4
2. The Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). Recommendation for Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Composition for New Zealand for 2024. January 2024. Available at: https://www.esr.cri.nz/our- research/nga-kete/infectious-disease-intelligence/influenza-and-respiratory- surveillance/
3. Verma, R., Foster, R.E., Horgan, K. et al. Lymphocyte depletion and repopulation after chemotherapy for primary breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 18, 10 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-015-0669-x
4. Vaccination of Adults with Cancer: ASCO Guideline https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.24.00032
5. Beck CR, McKenzie BC, Hashim AB, Harris RC, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS. Influenza vaccination for immunocompromised patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis by etiology. JInfect Dis. 2012;206(8):1250-9.
6. Fröbert O, Götberg M, Erlinge D, Akhtar Z, Christiansen E, MacIntyre C, Oldroyd KG, Motovska Z, Erglis A, More R, Hlinomaz O, Jakobsen L, Engstrom T, Jensen LO, Fallesen CO, Jensen SE, Angeras O, Calais F, Karegren A, Lauermann J, Mokhtari A, Nilsson J, Persson J, Stalby P, Islam A, Rahman A, Malik F, Choudhury S, Collier T, Pocok SJ, Pernow J. Influenza Vaccination After Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicentre Trial. Circulation. 2021;144(18):1476-1484
