Mortality burden from seasonal influenza and 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza in Beijing, China, 2007‐2013

摘要

Abstract BackgroundData about influenza mortality burden in northern China are limited. This study estimated mortality burden in Beijing associated with seasonal influenza from 2007 to 2013 and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. MethodsWe estimated influenza-associated excess mortality by fitting a negative binomial model using weekly mortality data as the outcome of interest with the percent of influenza-positive samples by type/subtype as predictor variables. ResultsFrom 2007 to 2013, an average of 2375 (CI 1002-8688) deaths was attributed to influenza per season, accounting for 3% of all deaths. Overall, 81% of the deaths attributed to influenza occurred in adults aged ≥65?years, and the influenza-associated mortality rate in this age group was higher than the rate among those aged ConclusionsInfluenza is an important contributor to mortality in Beijing, especially among those aged ≥65?years. These results support current policies to give priority to older adults for seasonal influenza vaccination and help to define the populations at highest risk for death that could be targeted for pandemic influenza vaccination.