Influenza Vaccine Protects Against Pediatric Death

摘要

Overall efficacy against influenza-associated pediatric death in the U.S. was 65%. Approximately 100 deaths from influenza occur annually in U.S. children and adolescents. Last season, a total of 61 pediatric influenza deaths were reported. In the current case-cohort study, researchers estimated vaccine efficacy for preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza-related death in U.S. children aged >6 months and < 18 years. They assessed vaccination uptake in 358 children who died from influenza during the influenza seasons of 2010 to 2014 and in three comparison U.S. pediatric cohorts. Among the 358 children who died, 291 had known vaccination status, and of these, 26% were vaccinated. Children were included if they had received at least one dose of influenza vaccine at least 14 days prior to illness onset. Of 62 children with known vaccine type, the majority (81%) received inactivated vaccine. Among young (aged 6 months to 4 years) vaccinated children who died, 52% were partially vaccinated. Overall, children who died had lower vaccination rates compared with other pediatric cohorts. Vaccine efficacy against pediatric death was 65% overall, 76% in children aged 5 to 12 years, and 40% in those aged 13 to 17 years. Vaccine efficacy against death was lower in those with versus without chronic medical conditions (51% vs. 65%).