Influensan 2012-2013 visar behovet av skydd för riskgrupper i alla åldrar. Vaccination kan rädda liv
Sammanfattning
The influenza season 2012–2013 in Sweden was long-lasting and severe due to the circulation of three types of influenza virus: A(H1N1)pdm09, seasonal influenza A (of which all subtyped were H3N2) and influenza B. A total of 213 influenza patients (2,2/100?000 inhabitants) were reported treated in intensive care units (ICUs): 143 with A(H1N1) pdm09, 36 with A(H3N2) and 34 with influenza B. During the pandemic in 2009, 136 patients were reported from ICUs. Seventy-two percent of the ICU-patients were below 65 years old, and of those 66 percent belonged to at least one medical risk group. Nineteen percent of patients less than 65 years old and 53 percent of patients above 65 years old had been vaccinated before the influenza season. Twenty-four percent of the patients in ICU died. The 2012–2013 season demonstrates the need to improve influenza vaccination coverage in all risk groups. Medical personnel are of paramount importance in motivating patients.