Ten influenza seasons in France: distribution and timing of influenza A and B circulation, 2003-2013.

Background: Describing the circulation of influenza viruses and the characteristics of seasonal epidemics remains an essential tool to optimize the strategies of influenza prevention and control. Special attention has been recently paid to influenza B in the context of the availability of a quadrivalent vaccine, containing two influenza B strains.

Methods: We used data from a practitioners-based influenza surveillance network to describe the circulation of influenza viruses in France from 2003-2004 to 2012-2013.

[The French Committee for the prevention and control of influenza and the 2009 influenza pandemic: Lessons learnt].

The Committee for the Prevention and Control of Influenza (Comité de lutte contre la Grippe - CLCG) is an advisory committee to the French Health Minister for a medical and scientific collective expertise on the measures to be implemented to control or to reduce the impact of an epidemic or a pandemic of influenza. Appointed by decree, the CLCG consists of ex-officio members; representatives of French Agencies strongly involved by influenza and qualified personalities, representing various fields of expertise. Collective expertise is based on consensus after thorough collective discussion.