[P] Future without influenza – national initiative of awareness and change of public policy on voluntary influenza vaccination in children
Children are 2-3 times more contagious than adults and have the highest incidence of flu; The approach launches an information framework, alignment with good European practices and public decision based on the protection of families and communities.
In the Romanian Parliament was launched the initiative “Future without influenza – influenza vaccination for healthy communities”, A national approach of awareness and change of public policy that brings to the forefront the role of influenza vaccination in children in preventing the spread of influenza. The initiative aims to increase the level of information, align to good European practices and to substantiate evidence, with the objective of approaching the Pediatric Vaccinal Cover.10%).
Why is voluntary influenza vaccination important in children?
Children are the main flu transmitters, being two to three times more contagious than adults and eliminating the virus for a longer period, which amplifies the transmission to multignerational households. The clinical burden is significant: the highest incidence is recorded in groups under 15 years, especially under 5 years, with hospitalizations comparable to those of the elderly; Almost half of the hospitalized children do not have comorbidities. Despite this impact, the pediatric vaccine coverage in Romania remains low, around 2.5% (in children between 2-19 years), below the level for reducing outbreaks, school absences and pressure on the health system. Evidence and European experiences show that the prioritization of pediatric immunization reduces the transmission, severity and complications of the flu, producing savings to the health budget, and the recent recommendations strengthen the direction of action based on information and equitable access to vaccines and vaccination.
“Children vaccination is a community protection tool and, at the same time, a smart investment in public health. Our approach puts in the center the correct information and public decision based on data, so that parents and authorities have the certainty that each measure has a real impact on the health of children and grandparents in the same household. We are talking about reducing outbreaks in the influenza season, about fewer absences from school and service, about lower pressure on the health system. Through transparency, collaboration and consistency, we can transform the voluntary flu vaccination of children into a solid pillar of prevention policies in Romania“, He said Prof. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, chairman of the Health and Family Commission in the Chamber of Deputies.
“Influenza immunization is the most effective intervention to limit the spread, complications and direct and indirect costs associated with flu. Estimatically, the vaccination of seven children prevents a flu case, and on the population scale this translates into thousands of avoided illnesses and hospital resources used where they are really necessary. The message to parents is simple: the flu is not a trivial cold. The message to the decision makers is as clear: the investment in prevention has the best yield when based on evidence and equitable access to information“, He said Prof. Dr. Adrian Streinu-Cercel, chairman of the Health Commission in the Senate of Romania.
“We have an opportunity window to change the perception of influenza and prevention. The data clearly show us that the little ones have the highest incidence and that almost half of the hospitalized children do not have pre -existing diseases. Therefore, the rigorous information of the parents and the community, the alignment at the European recommendations and the decisions based on the records must become the reflex of the system. 'Future without influenza' means the protection of the whole family, fewer absences from school and service and a more efficient health system. It is an open, transparent approach that respects individual options and puts children's health on public agenda“, He said Prof. univ. Dr. Victoria Arama, president of the Romanian Society for Strategies of Vaccination and Promotion of Health.
“The school is a key pillar of the community and an essential partner in any awareness because there is built confidence through education, not by taxation. I think it is important to talk about information programs: presentations supported by family doctors and school doctors, with questions and answers for parents. Also, the educational infrastructure and the standardized communication materials, in a clear and accessible language, will make the information easy to understand and to disseminate. said Alexandru-Mihai Ghigiu, chairman of the Commission for Education in the Chamber of Deputies.
The initiative “Future without flu” promotes a framework of public policies based on collaboration between health, education and civil society, with community protection against influenza as a central objective. Advanced directions include consolidation of interinstitutional partnerships, seasonal information campaigns and standardized educational materials, efficient distribution of information to parents, teachers and doctors, as well as transparent monitoring to clear targets. In this context, successful experiences in European states, including awareness programs and children -oriented and adolescent recommendations, offer useful landmarks for local adaptation.
The next steps of the approach are aimed at strengthening the dialogue between the authorities, the academic environment, the health and education professionals, the launch of the information campaigns for the flu 2025-2026 and the periodic publication of the progress indicators. “Future without influenza – influenza vaccination for healthy communities” is supported by institutional partners and professionals concerned with prevention, with the mission to restore influenza vaccination in children in the center of public policies and correct information, to protect families and communities from all over the country.
