Detection and typing of influenza viruses in vaccinated and non- vaccinated children in central Greece during 2018-2019

During the 2018-2019 influenza season in central Greece, 388 respiratory samples were collected from children presented with influenza symptoms and tested for the detection of influenza viruses. Real-time RT-PCR testing of the samples revealed the presence of influenza A (H1N1) (pdm09), influenza A (H3N2), seasonal influenza A (H1N1), and influenza B viruses. All samples tested were found negative for influenza A(H5) HA gene sequence. The majority of influenza viruses detected were type A (90%), of which the majority, (61%), were influenza A (H1N1) (pdm09) viruses, indicating that these viruses were the dominant influenza subtype circulating in central Greece during the winter and early spring of the aforementioned season.