Live attenuated and inactivated influenza vaccine in school-age children

Article Abstract:

Influenza is a major cause of illness in children, and often results in complications such as lower respiratory tract and middle ear infections. About 42 out of every 100 children are infected with influenza annually, and 36 out of 100 children with influenza develop acute respiratory illness. Influenza epidemics in children usually spread to the rest of the population. Therefore, an important part of containing these epidemics is the control achieved by immunization of school-aged children. The efficacy of two different vaccines was compared; the vaccines were attenuated cold-recombinant (CR) influenza vaccine and trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV). A total of 189 children aged 3 to 18 years old were monitored in this double-blind study conducted during 1985. The children were given the TIV, CR, or a placebo (ineffective) vaccine. The unvaccinated family contacts of these children were also followed. The results indicated that a significant immunologic response was produced as a result of both vaccines, but those who received the TIV type showed the greatest immunity. This response was especially remarkable because the virus used to produce this vaccine was a different type than the epidemic virus. Because the virus was not previously prevalent in this population, it was determined that prior exposure of the subjects to the virus did not contribute to their immunological response. A single dose of TIV prevented infection in 64 percent of the subjects, and protected against fever in 73 percent. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Influenza type A and B infections in hospitalized pediatric patients; who should be immunized?

Article Abstract:

Immunization against influenza is recommended for pediatric and adult patients in high-risk groups including those with lung, heart, or kidney disease, suppressed immune function, diabetes, metabolic diseases and those receiving long-term aspirin therapy. However, the rate of immunization among high-risk children is low, partly because the real risk to these children is poorly studied and unclear. The rate of illness and complications from influenza in low- and high-risk children was evaluated in a study of 99 patients. About half the children were male, and 43 were classified as high-risk. Significantly more high-risk patients were at least six months old. Both types of patients more commonly had type B than type A influenza. Most patients in the high-risk group had pulmonary diseases such as asthma. Only 4 of the 38 high-risk patients over six months old had been immunized and none had received preventive therapy for influenza. Significantly more high-risk patients were hospitalized for at least 14 days, and significantly more had hospital-acquired influenza infections. Four high-risk patients, all of whom had pulmonary disease, and two low-risk patients required intubation to assist breathing. Two of the three patients who died were from the high-risk group. The study indicates that children at high risk, particularly those with pulmonary disease, should be immunized against influenza infections. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Influenza viruses, Pediatric respiratory diseases

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Influenza vaccine composition recommendation for the 1989-90 season

Article Abstract:

Influenza virus type A is the most common influenza virus responsible for epidemics in the United States; type B viruses predominate in other areas of the Northern hemisphere. Among the two major types of type A influenza virus, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, there are additional subtypes. Immunity to subtypes induced by specific vaccines can reduce the likelihood of infection or reduce the severity of disease. However, the many subtypes of viruses make immunization vaccination complicated. Antigenic subtypes can vary and change over time. Consequently, newly formed variants of the viruses can cause additional epidemics. It takes many months for The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to make decisions on which virus strains to include in the influenza vaccine. In addition to retaining the current vaccine for the 1989-90 season, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a trivalent vaccine. The CDC decisions regarding the vaccine for the 1989-90 influenza season were to be completed by April 1989. Specific recommendations by the Immunization Pediatric Advisory Committee will be issuing later this spring. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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