Influenza and Immunization

Course Summary

Influenza vaccine can be effective for preventing influenza illness. It is not known if vaccination reduces the risk of subsequent hospital admission among patients with vaccine failure and laboratory confirmed influenza illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older receive an annual vaccination. The best way to protect against influenza includes recognition of symptoms and prevention of spread, and annual vaccination. A summary of the latest information on the epidemiology of influenza, and the signs, symptoms, complications, and treatments with vaccines and antivirals for influenza are discussed.