Correction: Preparing for the flu season
CMAJ 1998;159:1244
In a recent public health article about influenza vaccination1 [full text] the box identifying those at high risk for influenza-related complications was incomplete. The complete list follows.
Groups at high risk for influenza-related complications
Place of residence
- Residents (any age) of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities (institutional environments facilitate the spread of influenza).
Age
- People 65 years of age or older.1,2
Medical conditions
- Adults and children with chronic cardiac or pulmonary disorders severe enough to require regular medical follow-up or hospital care (by far the most important risk factors for influenza-related death).3
- Adults and children with other chronic conditions, such as diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases, cancer, immunodeficiency, immunosuppression (due to underlying disease or therapy), renal disease, hemoglobinopathies or any anemia.
- Children and adolescents (aged 6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods with ASA, a therapy that increases the risk of Reye's syndrome after influenza.4
- People infected with HIV, in whom influenza symptoms may be prolonged and the risk of complications increased. In those with advanced HIV-related illness the antibody response to the vaccine may be low,5 even after a booster dose given 4 or more weeks after the first. HIV load does not increase with influenza vaccination.
Travel plans
- People at high risk who will be travelling to destinations where influenza is likely to be circulating. The form of travel itself may expose individuals to situations that facilitate the transmission of influenza (e.g., the closed setting of a cruise ship).
The online version is correct.
Reference
- National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Preparing for the flu season. CMAJ 1998;159(8):981-2
