ESWI Science Policy Interface Roundtable in Vienna

ESWI held a very successful Roundtable on 15 September in Vienna, focusing on facilitating dialogue to improve influenza prevention, control and vaccine uptake, following the notable ESWI Science Policy Interface Roundtable at the Parliament of the Czech Republic in Prague last year. 

The second edition of the ESWI Science Policy Interface Roundtable took place at the Medical University of Vienna. It brought together around 26 experts (policymakers, scientists and journalists) to discuss challenges, barriers, misinformation, and solutions related to vaccine uptake. 

The Roundtable was followed by a workshop with journalists aimed at fostering dialogue and promoting the exchange of accurate, accessible and evidence-based information on vaccine uptake and the burden of influenza in Austria. ESWI values the commitment of scientists to remain available to journalists and policymakers, helping to communicate accurate and reliable information to citizens and to support policymakers in better preparing immunisation campaigns.

Hosted by the Medical University of Vienna together with renowned virologists Monika Redlberger-Fritz (Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna) and ESWI Member Florian Krammer, the Roundtable featured distinguished participants such as Maria Paulke-Korinek from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection; ESWI Member George Kassianos; and Anaïs and Davy Cotting, who delivered a powerful patient testimony.

Monika Redlberger-Fritz, Center for Virology at the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), presented on assessing the burden of influenza. Redlberger-Fritz illustrated how quickly influenza can spread, showing that within just two hours it can move through a confined population. Schools are particularly vulnerable due to shared surfaces such as desks and door handles. Each year, about 5–10% of adults and 10–20% of children contract influenza in Austria, highlighting the virus's high infectiousness and the ease of transmission.

The impact of influenza extends beyond infection rates, with mortality significantly increasing during flu seasons. On average, around 1.300 deaths per year in Austria can be attributed to influenza, more than deaths from road traffic accidents. Depending on the severity of the season, the toll can range from 200–400 deaths in mild flu seasons to as many as 4.000 in severe years. Because most victims have underlying conditions, influenza’s role is often not directly visible on death certificates. 

Vaccination plays a vital role in reducing this impact. Studies show that influenza vaccination lowers intensive care admissions by 26% and reduces the risk of death among hospitalised adults by 31%. While vaccines cannot offer complete protection, they remain highly effective in preventing severe illness, hospitalisations, and deaths.

Florian Krammer, ESWI Member (Austria and USA), provided an overview of available influenza vaccines. He explained there are four main types of influenza —A, B, C, and D— but only types A and B cause significant disease in humans. Seasonal influenza, caused by both A and B, leads to 300.000 to 650.000 deaths worldwide each year, while pandemics —often triggered by viruses circulating in animal reservoirs—, can be far more devastating. The 1918 H1N1 pandemic, for example, caused an estimated 20 to 100 million deaths, largely due to secondary bacterial infections.

Krammer traced the evolution of influenza pandemics over the past century, showing how new viral subtypes emerge and replace older ones. The 1957 H2N2 pandemic displaced the 1918 H1N1 virus, only to be replaced itself in 1968 by H3N2, which still circulates today. H1N1 re-emerged in 1977 and coexisted with H3N2 until the 2009 swine flu pandemic, when a new H1N1 strain spread globally. These events illustrate how influenza viruses mutate rapidly, escaping existing immunity and becoming seasonal viruses, much like the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2. He also noted how public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as masking and social distancing, almost entirely suppressed influenza activity, highlighting differences in transmissibility between the two viruses.

Finally, Krammer turned to vaccination as the key tool for managing influenza. He emphasised that the public should understand this distinction: the main goal of vaccination is to lessen the burden of serious illness, protect vulnerable groups, and reduce strain on healthcare systems. Effective communication, he argued, is essential to ensure public trust in vaccines and to strengthen preparedness for both seasonal epidemics and future pandemics.

Maria Paulke-Korinek, Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (Austria), presented the organisation of Austria’s national immunisation programme. She highlighted Austria’s broad flu vaccination recommendation, which extends to nearly the entire population. Vaccination is recommended for everyone aged six and older, not just for children, high-risk groups, or the elderly. This inclusive strategy reflects Austria’s strong commitment to public health and is supported by recent analyses from the Technical University of Vienna, which show the considerable disease and economic burden influenza imposes. 

She outlined the current structure of Austria’s public vaccination programme. It provides flu vaccines for people aged 60 and above as well as certain high-risk groups, a nasal vaccine for children aged 2–18, and a vaccine suitable for all age groups. She also emphasised Austria’s centralised vaccine ordering and distribution system. This approach enhances data collection, improves tracking of vaccine supply, and supports more effective medium and long-term planning. However, she acknowledged the challenge of accurately predicting vaccine demand, balancing the risk of shortages against the need to avoid unnecessary surplus.

George Kassianos, ESWI Member (UK), delivered a talk on Vaccination Uptake in the UK: Insight from a GP. He highlighted the critical role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and structured vaccination programmes in driving vaccine uptake. He emphasised that vaccinators in the UK must meet minimum standards of skills and competencies, supported by annual training and assessment, as HCPs are the most trusted advisers influencing vaccination decisions. A lack of knowledge among HCPs is a major contributor to vaccine hesitancy, making continuous education and standardisation essential.

Kassianos also detailed the 2023–2024 National Immunisation Programme in England, noting that children should begin flu vaccination in September, with school-aged cohorts completing it by mid-December, while adults start in early October, completing most vaccinations by December 2024, with exceptions for immunosuppressed adults and pregnant women. He highlighted the increasing role of pharmacists in flu vaccination, noting a rise from 595.467 vaccines administered in 2015–16 to a projected 4.1 million in 2024–25, demonstrating their growing contribution to public health efforts.

Anaïs and Davy Cotting gave a personal patient testimonial, sharing their emotional story, showing a powerful example of resilience. In March 2023, Anaïs, a healthy 35 years old mother and healthcare worker, caught the flu. Her illness quickly became life threatening. She experienced total organ failure and had to be treated with intubation, dialysis and ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation). Anaïs also faced severe complications, including amputations caused by septic shock. Her journey showed how serious influenza can be, even for people without underlying health problems. Davy highlighted the importance of vaccination. Anaïs had not been vaccinated, which made her more vulnerable to severe illness. By sharing their experience, the Cottings want to raise awareness about the risks of influenza and the benefits of getting vaccinated. Their story reminds everyone that flu vaccination can save lives and protect both individuals and their families.