OBJECTIVES : The 2020/21 influenza season was unique due to the co-occurring COVID-19 pandemic which exerted significant strain on populations and healthcare systems. On September 2020, the World Health Organization issued an interim guidance recommending countries to strengthen their national immunization programs (NIPs) against influenza. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on influenza vaccination policies.

METHODS : We conducted desk researches on Google and Google Scholars to identify changes in vaccination policies for the 2020/21 season in France, Italy, the UK and US. Public health agency and governmental websites were consulted on May 3^rd 2021.

RESULTS : Substantial changes following the COVID-19 outbreak were observed in France, UK and Italy, with all countries extending eligibility criteria for immunization and expanding their time window for vaccination. French authorities established a stockpile of two million doses and opened vaccination to children with the inclusion of intranasal influenza vaccines in their NIP. A stockpile was also constituted in the UK, whose NIP was extended to four new population categories such as individuals aged 50 to 64 years. Targets in vaccine coverage rate (VCR) were also increased from 55% to at least 75% in at-risk individuals aged below 65 years. Similarly, Italy extended vaccination to all individuals aged 60 to 64 years and estimated vaccine supply based on demographics rather than objectives in VCR. In comparison, no significant changes were observed in the US compared to previous seasons.

CONCLUSIONS : It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant adjustments in country NIPs for influenza to limit the potential for additive burden on healthcare systems. As the pandemic is still ongoing, it will be of interest to confirm whether the changes observed in this study are just temporary or if they will be upheld in the long term.