Efficacy of Influenza Vaccine Against Severe Disease in Children

Influenza vaccine reduces the incidence of influenza and influenza-like illness in all age groups, but efficacy is greatest in children, and vaccination in children can provide herd immunity to the entire community. Influenza vaccine also has been shown to reduce hospitalizations, physician visits, and antibiotic prescriptions for otitis media and pneumonia. Investigators examined whether influenza vaccine reduces the risk for pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission or death in a case-control study during two influenza seasons (2010–2012). Cases were 44 children with influenza confirmed by polymerase chain reaction at 21 PICUs in the U.S. Two control groups included 172 PICU children without influenza and 93 children from the same co…