Vaccination of pregnant women against seasonal influenza 2010-2011

The World Health Organisation (WHO) expects influenza A/H1N1 to be the dominant strain of the virus in the northern hemisphere in 2010-2011. A vaccine against the A/H1N1 strain has accordingly been included in the seasonal influenza combination vaccine. This promoted the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport to ask whether vaccination against influenza should again be made available to pregnant women and children for the 2010-2011 season. In earlier advisory report, on 8 April 2010, the Health Council and RIVM/CIb advised on the vaccination of children; here they give the requested advice on pregnant women.