Pediatric influenza vaccination prevents hospitalizations across seasons

In pediatric patients, influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) varied across 2021 to 2024 seasons, but did help prevent influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits, according to a study published online April 6 in Pediatrics.

Samantha M. Olson, M.P.H., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues estimated VE against influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits during three influenza seasons (2021 to 2024) using data from seven U.S. pediatric medical centers. Children aged 6 months to 17 years who were hospitalized or received outpatient care for acute respiratory illness were included in the study.

Overall, 2,831 and 17,086 (14% and 86%) of the 19,917 children were positive and negative for influenza, respectively; 43% and 57% were vaccinated and unvaccinated, respectively. The researchers found that among children testing negative for influenza, vaccination uptake ranged from 44% to 51% by season. Across seasons, VE ranged from 34% to 60%, with the lowest estimates during 2021 to 2022. Effectiveness was 53%, 43%, and 69% against influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B, respectively, with additional variation by clade.

“Our study shows influenza VE ranged, but overall, was effective at preventing influenza-associated hospitalizations and outpatient visits in children aged 6 months to 17 years,” the authors write. “Higher pediatric influenza vaccine coverage could amplify the benefits of vaccination among children.”

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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