The history of vaccine and vaccination against influenza in Poland

Abstract

The influenza virus is an important cause of morbidity, complications and mortality worldwide. Anyone can be infected, regardless of latitude or age. The paper describes the history of obtaining a modern influenza vaccine that does not deviate from current World Health Organization standards in Poland. Dozens of studies assessing the post-vaccination humoral response for different types of influenza vaccine, measuring levels of anti-haemagglutinin and anti-neuraminidase antibodies (although not in all of the studies) have been presented. The research was conducted mainly in high-risk populations, regardless of the age of vaccine recipients. What is noteworthy, the paper presents specific examples that may help promote prevention and encourage healthcare personnel to protect not only patients, but also their relatives. Prophylaxis in the form of vaccination is the cheapest and most effective form of preventing both dangerous complications and mortality. Infection caused by the influenza virus should be viewed not only in the context of exacerbation of a pre-existing disease or causing a new disease, but also in terms of measurable public costs. There are many types of imported influenza vaccines available on the Polish pharmaceutical market, from the inactivated intramuscular split or subunit vaccine to the intranasal live vaccine obtained from strains adapted to lower replication temperatures. Currently, quadrivalent influenza vaccines, i.e. containing two influenza A virus subtypes (A/H1N1/pdm09, A/H3N2) and two influenza B virus lineages (Victoria and Yamagata), are used. Depending on the type of vaccine, immunisation is recommended from the age of 6 months, whereas the upper age limit is not specified. The composition of vaccines is updated every epidemic season.