Vaccine effectiveness for laboratory-confirmed influenza in children 6-59 months of age, 2005-2007

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Vaccinology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Influenza poses a significant health risk to young children, leading to medical care visits.
• Estimating influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) is crucial for public health strategies.
• Previous studies highlight the importance of vaccination in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in children.
• To assess VE against medical care visits for influenza in children aged 6-59 months.
• To compare effectiveness between fully and partially vaccinated children.

Main Methods:

• A matched case-control study was conducted from 2005-2007.
• Participants included children presenting with acute respiratory illness or fever.
• Influenza vaccine effectiveness was calculated using confirmed influenza cases and influenza-negative controls.

Main Results:

• The influenza vaccine showed 56% effectiveness (95% CI: 25%-74%) in fully vaccinated children aged 6-59 months.
• A statistically significant VE was not observed for partially vaccinated children.
• The study focused on preventing medically attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Conclusions:

• Full vaccination against influenza provides significant protection for young children against medically attended illness.
• Partial influenza vaccination may not offer sufficient protection in this age group.
• These findings support robust influenza vaccination programs for children.