Preventing influenza and its complications: a public health initiative for the year 2000.

Influenza remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among the elderly and persons with certain chronic illnesses. Despite the availability of safe and efficacious immunization against the virus, only a small percent of persons at-risk for complications are immunized annually. This article describes influenza virus, indications for influenza vaccination, chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza, and strategies for practitioners to increase immunization rates among at-risk individuals.