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. 2018 Feb 21;13(2):e0193263.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193263. eCollection 2018.

Global influenza seasonality to inform country-level vaccine programs: An analysis of WHO FluNet influenza surveillance data between 2011 and 2016

Laura P Newman  1 , Niranjan Bhat  2 , Jessica A Fleming  2 , Kathleen M Neuzil  2   3
Affiliations

Global influenza seasonality to inform country-level vaccine programs: An analysis of WHO FluNet influenza surveillance data between 2011 and 2016

Laura P Newman et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

By analyzing publicly available surveillance data from 2011-2016, we produced country-specific estimates of seasonal influenza activity for 118 countries in the six World Health Organization regions. Overall, the average country influenza activity period was 4.7 months. Our analysis characterized 100 countries (85%) with one influenza peak season, 13 (11%) with two influenza peak seasons, and five (4%) with year-round influenza activity. Surveillance data were limited for many countries. These data provide national estimates of influenza activity, which may guide planning for influenza vaccination implementation, program timing and duration, and policy development.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Illustrative examples of influenza seasonality classifications, 2011–2016.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Global maps of monthly influenza activity, 2011–2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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