Flu and friends: Vaccines to reduce winter illness respiratory burden

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Vaccines

Flu and friends: Vaccines to reduce winter illness respiratory burden

April 2025

Mary Nowlan

Wednesday 26 March 2025, 12:35 AM

Weekly hospitalisation rates due to severe acute respiratory infection increase during winter months [Image: ESR]

This article reviews vaccines that help reduce demand on health services over winter

Key points, Everyone is encouraged to have annual influenza vaccination. Ensure those eligible are up to date with COVID-19 vaccination. Viral infections incr, Pract Green w Pale Yellow

Respiratory Health

References

Branche A, Ramesh M, Francis B. A narrative review of key risk factors for severe illness following SARS-COV-2, influenza virus, and respiratory syncytial virus infection. Infect Dis Ther 2025;14(Suppl 1):39–61.
Debbag R, Rudin D, Ceddia F, Watkins J. The impact of vaccination on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus-related outcomes: A narrative review. Infect Dis Ther 2025;14(Suppl 1):63–97.
Duncan P, Mears R, Begier E, et al. Estimating the burden of vaccine-preventable lower respiratory tract disease in UK primary care: protocol for a prospective surveillance study (AvonCAP GP2). BJGP Open 2024;8(4).
Ferdinands JM, Blanton LH, Alyanak E, et al. Protection against influenza hospitalizations from enhanced influenza vaccines among older adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc 2024;72(12):3875–89.
Hanage WP, Schaffner W. Burden of acute respiratory infections caused by influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-COV-2 with consideration of older adults: A narrative review. Infect Dis Ther 2025;14(Suppl 1):5–37.
Ison MG, Papi A, Athan E, et al. Efficacy and safety of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F protein vaccine (RSVPREF3 OA) in older adults over 2 RSV seasons. Clin Infect Dis 2024;78(6):1732–44.
Ku JH, Rayens E, Sy LS, et al. Comparative effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in preventing influenza-related medical encounters and hospitalizations in the 2022-2023 influenza season among adults >/=65 years of age. Clin Infect Dis 2024;79(5):1283–92.
MacIntyre CR, Mahimbo A, Moa AM, Barnes M. Influenza vaccine as a coronary intervention for prevention of myocardial infarction. Heart 2016;102(24):1953–56.
Strandell K, Videholm S, Tornevi A, et al. Increased risk of bacterial pneumonia before and after respiratory syncytial virus infection in young children. Acta Paediatr 2025;114(1):83–91.

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