Using evidence to inform action on influenza vaccination: findings from a new 15-year study

Globally, seasonal influenza is responsible for an estimated 3-5 million severe cases and up to 650 000 respiratory deaths each year, placing a substantial burden on health systems and shortening lives.

"Evidence from several countries in the WHO European Region suggests that seasonal influenza is among the infectious diseases with the highest impact on population health as measured in disability-adjusted life years," explains Pernille Jorgensen, WHO/Europe's Technical Officer for Pandemic Respiratory Diseases. "In our Region, it is also associated with significant excess mortality in some winter seasons."

While vaccines remain the best defence against influenza and for protecting those at most risk of severe disease or death, understanding how vaccines are distributed, the target groups that are covered and barriers to vaccine take-up is crucial if our populations are to be adequately protected.

Progress and challenges in seasonal influenza vaccination

In the first comprehensive analysis of seasonal influenza vaccination programmes since the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO/Europe has undertaken a study covering all 53 Member States of the Region, which examines progress with and challenges to seasonal influenza vaccination over 15 influenza seasons.

"Encouragingly, the number of influenza vaccine doses delivered across the WHO European Region has doubled since 2008/09, with additional at-risk populations being recommended for vaccination," explains Jorgensen, one of the study's researchers. "However, vaccine supplies still vary widely between countries depending on their income levels, and fewer than half of Member States are reporting data on how many people within their target groups are actually getting vaccinated."

While there is much to celebrate in the findings of the study, it does, however, highlight that current influenza vaccination strategies are insufficient for protecting the Region's at-risk populations. Yet, by identifying the areas where the implementation of influenza vaccination programmes falls short, the study provides a useful guide as to where future action needs to be focused.

"The findings provide Region-wide evidence to inform future investment and policy development to strengthen influenza vaccination programmes," says Jorgensen. "They also show that accelerated global efforts are needed to improve access to affordable and effective influenza vaccines, alongside national initiatives to identify and address barriers to vaccination."

Country focus: Tajikistan

In the last few years, the health authorities of Tajikistan have taken concrete steps to improve their national influenza vaccination programme, focussing their vaccine efforts on health workers to ensure they remain healthy and able to deliver essential services during influenza seasons and future pandemics.

In 2025, Tajikistan procured 35 000 vaccine doses, prioritizing health-care workers at highest risk of exposure to influenza. By the end of 2030 this number is planned to double, not only protecting more health-care workers, but also the health system, while boosting pandemic preparedness and contributing to global health security.

With this achievement, every WHO Member State in the Region now implements a national seasonal influenza vaccination programme, making it the first WHO region in the world to reach full implementation.

Furthering WHO's mandate

WHO/Europe's seasonal influenza vaccination study underpins WHO's core function of monitoring health trends and determinants at global, regional and country level, to protect and promote the health of all people, everywhere.

Every April, the Region celebrates European Immunization Week (EIW) to promote awareness of the role immunization plays in preventing diseases and protecting life. This year marks the 20th annual EIW with the theme "For every generation, vaccines work".

In addition, on World Health Day (7 April 2026), WHO launched a year-long campaign under the theme "Together for health: Stand with science", reaffirming the organization's central role in advancing science and delivering evidence-based guidance, policy and advice for countries, communities and individuals.