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Rationale and approach to target children with asthma for annual influenza immunization
1Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Scott & White Memorial Hospital & Clinic, Scott, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, TX, USA. mgaglani@swmail.sw.org
Insights
Children with asthma face significant risks from influenza virus infections. Annual flu vaccination is crucial but underutilized, highlighting the need for improved strategies to protect this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Influenza virus infection exacerbates asthma in children, leading to hospitalizations.
- Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for children with asthma, yet uptake is below 10%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review influenza-associated morbidity in children with asthma.
- To evaluate the risk-benefit of influenza vaccination in this population.
- To investigate strategies for improving influenza vaccine uptake.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing influenza-associated morbidity.
- Risk-benefit analysis of influenza vaccination.
- Investigation of strategies to enhance vaccine uptake.
Main Results:
- Influenza virus infection causes significant morbidity in children with asthma.
- Limited data exist on the safety and effectiveness of trivalent influenza vaccine in this group, but it is generally safe and effective.
- Investigational live-attenuated influenza vaccine requires further evaluation.
Conclusions:
- Children with asthma are at high risk for influenza-related complications.
- Optimizing influenza immunization requires a well-organized, multicomponent strategy targeting this high-risk population.
- Annual influenza immunization should be prioritized for children with asthma.
Abstract:
Influenza virus infection can cause an acute exacerbation of asthma that may result in hospitalization. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for children with asthma, but fewer than 10 percent receive it. This review summarizes the influenza-associated morbidity in children with asthma. The risk-versus-benefit of influenza vaccination in children with asthma is evaluated. Strategies to improve influenza vaccine uptake in children with asthma are investigated. Influenza virus infection causes substantial morbidity in children with asthma. Data on safety and effectiveness of the trivalent influenza vaccine in these children are limited. However, it is generally safe and effective in preventing influenza infection. The investigational live-attenuated, cold-adapted, trivalent nasal spray influenza vaccine needs evaluation for safety and efficacy in children with asthma. An annual, well-organized, computerized multicomponent strategy should be implemented for optimizing influenza immunization in the high-risk population. Children with asthma should be targeted for annual influenza immunization.