The AIFA Decision authorising the update, for the 2023-2024 season, of the composition of influenza vaccines authorised according to the registration, mutual recognition and decentralised procedure has been published in the Official Journal.

Influenza vaccines approved according to the centralised registration procedure coordinated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have also been authorised.

The composition of all influenza vaccines for the 2023-2024 season follows the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA.

The Circular of the Ministry of Health "Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations for the 2023-2024 season" of 21 April 2023 recommends "in consideration of the epidemiological situation relating to the circulation of respiratory viruses in the 2022-2023 season, compatibly with the availability of vaccine, to anticipate the conduct of flu vaccination campaigns from the beginning of October and to offer vaccination to eligible individuals at any time during the flu season, even if they are late for vaccination. his may be particularly important if there will be a late influenza season or when at-risk patients present. This may be particularly important if there will be a late influenza season or when at-risk patients present. Therefore, the decision to vaccinate should take into account the level of incidence of influenza-like syndrome in the community, keeping in mind that the immune response to vaccination takes approximately two weeks to fully develop."

AIFA recalls that, in addition to protection and treatment measures based on vaccinations and the possible use of antiviral drugs, an important measure in limiting the spread of influenza is represented by good hygiene of hands and respiratory secretions (for example wash your hands regularly and frequently with soap and water; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze and then throw it in the garbage; regularly ventilate the rooms in which you stay).
AIFA invites everyone to report suspected adverse reactions that occur after the administration of a vaccine, as the reports contribute to the continuous monitoring of the benefit/risk ratio of vaccines like of any other medicine.

Please remember that healthcare professionals are required to report any suspected adverse reactions observed.

It is also possible to make a spontaneous report of a suspected adverse reaction according to one of the methods indicated in the dedicated section of the AIFA portal.