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Inactivated influenza virus vaccines in children

Frederick L Ruben1

  • 1Scientific and Medical Affairs, Aventis Pasteur, Swiftwater, Pennsylvania 18370, USA. fred.ruben@aventis.com

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|February 27, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Influenza vaccines are safe and effective for children, offering significant protection against the flu and related complications like ear infections. Early vaccination is crucial for maximum protection in young children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Children under 2 years experience high influenza hospitalization rates, comparable to the elderly.
  • Influenza vaccination was recommended for high-risk children and encouraged for infants aged 6-23 months in 2003.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of killed influenza vaccines in children.
  • To assess the impact of influenza vaccination on acute otitis media rates in children.

Main Methods:

  • Review of studies involving several thousand children aged 6 months to 15 years.
  • Analysis of vaccine efficacy against influenza A and B strains.
  • Evaluation of secondary benefits, such as reduction in acute otitis media.

Main Results:

  • Killed influenza vaccines are safe and immunogenic in healthy and high-risk children aged 6 months and older.
  • Two initial doses are needed for children aged 9 years or younger for optimal protection.
  • Vaccine efficacy ranged from 31%-91% against influenza A and 45% against influenza B.
  • A 32%-36% reduction in acute otitis media was observed in children attending daycare.

Conclusions:

  • Killed influenza vaccines are safe, immunogenic, and effective in children.
  • Vaccination may be cost-saving and reduces the incidence of influenza and associated complications like otitis media.

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