Influenza Vaccination: Young Children at High Priority
Influenza Vaccination: Young Children at High Priority
Influenza-associated morbidity is highest among children. Although most children with influenza are treated as outpatients, little is known about the disease burden in those not requiring hospitalization. Investigators in Finland, partly supported by industry, conducted a prospective study spanning the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 respiratory-illness seasons to determine the total burden of influenza -- morbidity, complications, treatment, and absenteeism -- in children ≤13 years old in the community.
During 2231 child-seasons of observation, 372 documented episodes of influenza occurred. For the two years combined, influenza incidence was highest among children <3 years old (179 cases per 1000 children, vs. 175 per 1000 in children 3-6 years old and 142 per 1000 in those 7-13). Disease burden was high in all groups but highest among children <3 years; in this group, antibiotics were prescribed to 42.0%, and otitis media was diagnosed in 39.7%. For every 100 children <3 years old with influenza, children missed 274 days of day care and parents missed 195 days of work.
The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) first encouraged and now recommends influenza vaccination for all children 6-23 months of age. This decision was based on the fact that the attack rate and clinical sequelae of influenza in such children were similar to those in other, previously recognized high-risk groups. The findings of the present study further support this recommendation. Despite the influenza-vaccine shortage for 2004-2005, children aged 6-23 months remain on the ACIP priority list of vaccine recipients (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm).
Linda M. Mundy, MD
Heikkinen T et al. Burden of influenza in children in the community. J Infect Dis 2004 Oct 15; 190:1369-73.
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Influenza-associated morbidity is highest among children. Although most children with influenza are treated as outpatients, little is known about the disease burden in those not requiring hospitalization. Investigators in Finland, partly supported by industry, conducted a prospective study spanning the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 respiratory-illness seasons to determine the total burden of influenza -- morbidity, complications, treatment, and absenteeism -- in children ≤13 years old in the community.
During 2231 child-seasons of observation, 372 documented episodes of influenza occurred. For the two years combined, influenza incidence was highest among children <3 years old (179 cases per 1000 children, vs. 175 per 1000 in children 3-6 years old and 142 per 1000 in those 7-13). Disease burden was high in all groups but highest among children <3 years; in this group, antibiotics were prescribed to 42.0%, and otitis media was diagnosed in 39.7%. For every 100 children <3 years old with influenza, children missed 274 days of day care and parents missed 195 days of work.
The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) first encouraged and now recommends influenza vaccination for all children 6-23 months of age. This decision was based on the fact that the attack rate and clinical sequelae of influenza in such children were similar to those in other, previously recognized high-risk groups. The findings of the present study further support this recommendation. Despite the influenza-vaccine shortage for 2004-2005, children aged 6-23 months remain on the ACIP priority list of vaccine recipients (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldget.htm).
Linda M. Mundy, MD
Heikkinen T et al. Burden of influenza in children in the community. J Infect Dis 2004 Oct 15; 190:1369-73.
Click here for Journal Watch subscription information.
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