BAKGRUNN - I (fra Rådets pressemelding 22.12.2009, engelsk utgave)

Vaccination against seasonal influenza
The Council adopted a recommendation encouraging member states to adopt action plans to improve seasonal influenza vaccination coverage (17268/09). Member states are invited to reach as early as possible and preferably by the winter season 2014/2015 a vaccination coverage rate of 75% for older age groups recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Member states should also try to reach this vaccination coverage rate with regards to healthcare workers.

BAKGRUNN - II (fra kommisjonsforslaget, engelsk utgave)

Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection of viral origin, which occurs epidemically most frequently during winter months. Influenza disease usually presents as rapid onset of a typical pattern of combined symptoms, in particular very prominent headache. Mild and asymptomatic cases also occur while recovery from the typical infection normally takes a week. However, many other respiratory infections of viral or bacterial origin will cause similar but rarely all combined symptoms.