Recommendations pertaining to the use of viral vaccines: Influenza 2013
Department of Health
Corresponding author: B D Schoub (barrys@nicd.ac.za)
Here we provide recommendations for the use of viral vaccines in anticipation of the 2013 Southern Hemisphere influenza season. For a review of the 2012 influenza season, please refer to the website of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service (http://www.nicd.ac.za).
Recommended vaccine formulation
The following strains have been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the 2013 Southern Hemisphere influenza season:
Indications
Any persons wishing to protect themselves from the risk of contracting influenza, especially in industrial settings, where large-scale absenteeism could cause significant economic losses.
Dosage
Contra-indications
Timing
Vaccines should be given sufficiently early to provide protection for the winter. A protective antibody response takes about 2 weeks to develop.
Antiviral chemotherapy
]]> At present novel influenza A (H1N1) and H3N2 and B influenza viruses remain largely sensitive to oseltamivir (as well as zanamivir). Antiviral chemotherapy is most effective when administered as early as possible, <2 days after onset of illness. The dosages for treatment are provided in Table 1.
Antiviral chemoprophylaxis
Chemoprophylaxis for contacts of persons with influenza is not recommended. Recent WHO recommendations advise presumptive treatment using the treatment regimen described above for high-risk (severely immuno-compromised) individuals exposed to influenza instead of the previously recommended long-term lower-dose chemoprophylaxis regimen. These individuals need to be very carefully monitored during influenza season for early signs and should then be treated immediately on suspicion of infection.
For a more detailed description of antiviral management and prophylaxis of influenza, please refer to the Healthcare Workers Handbook on Influenza on the NICD website (http://www.nicd.ac.za).
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