Influenza among the elderly in the Americas: A consensus statement

Influenza exacts a heavy burden on the elderly, a segment of the population that is estimated to experience rapid growth in the near future. In the past decade most developed and several developing countries have recommended influenza vaccination for those > 65 years of age. The World Health Organization (WHO) set a goal of 75% influenza vaccination coverage among the elderly by 2010, but it was not achieved. In 2011, the Technical Advisory Group at the Pan American Health Organization, Regional Office of WHO for the Americas, reiterated the influenza vaccine recommendation for older adults. Relatively little information has been compiled on the immunological aspect of aging or on reducing its impact, information particularly relevant for clinicians and gerontologist with firsthand experience confronting its effects. To fill this data gap, in 2012 the Americas Health Foundation (Washington, D.C., United States) and the nonprofit, Fighting Infectious Diseases in Emerging Countries (Miami, Florida, United States), convened a panel of Latin American clinicians and gerontologists with expertise in influenza to discuss key issues and develop a consensus statement. The major recommendations were to improve influenza surveillance throughout Latin America so that its impact can be quantified; and to conduct laboratory confirmation of influenza for all patients who have flu-like symptoms and are frail, immunosuppressed, have comorbidities, are respiratory compromised, or have been admitted to a hospital. The panel also noted that: since evidence for antivirals in the elderly is unclear, their use should be handled on a case-by-case basis; despite decreased immunological response, influenza vaccination in older adults is still crucial; indirect immunization strategies should be encouraged; and traditional infection control measures are essential in long-term care facilities.

Draft annual report of the Commission: statement by the Executive Secretary on the preliminary financial implications of the programme of work

Includes bibliography

El plan de acción de Sao Paulo: una exposición sobre la técnica de planificación adoptada = The plan of action of Sao Paulo: a statement on the technique adopted for preparation of the plan

Incluye Bibliografía

Statement by H.E. Ambassador Miguel A. Ozorio de Almeida, head of the brazilian delegation, on items 5 and 6 of the agenda

Agenda, item 5: Overall view of environmental and development problems in Latin America; item 6: Situation of the environment in Latin America

Exposición del Sr. Enrique V. Iglesias, Secretario Ejecutivo de la Comisión Económica para América Latina en la VIII Reunión Ordinaria del Consejo Latinoamericano del Sistema Económico Latinoamericano (SELA) = Statement by the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Latin America, Mr. Enrique V. Iglesias, at the Eighth Regular Session of the Latin American Council of the Latin American Economic System (SELA)

En su exposición el Sr. Iglesias se refiere a la gran crisis de los años ochenta y reflexiona sobre las políticas antirrecesivas: la colaboración internacional y la cooperación regional; y sobre el nuevo enfoque del desarrollo latinoamericano.