Influenza Vaccine: Protecting Children Protects Everyone

http://pediatrics.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2010/324/1

EXCELENTES NOTICIAS!!!!!
EN UN INTERESANTE ESTUDIO EXPERIMENTAL COMUNITARIO (ABAJO) SE ENCONTRÓ COMO GRAN RESULTADO UNA DISMINUCIÓN IMPORTANTE DE LOS CUADROS GRIPALES CUANDO SE VACUNAN SISTEMATICAMENTE LOS NIÑOS, YA QUE SE DISMINUYE LA TRANSMISIÓN NIÑOS ADULTOS MAYORES EN LAS CASAS Y CAE SIGNIFICATIVAMENTE LA INCIDENCIA DE LA ENFERMEDAD EN TODOS LOS GRUPOS DE EDAD.

In a community-based randomized study, immunization of children and adolescents provided 61% protection against influenza in the unimmunized community.


Some data suggest that children are important vectors in the spread of seasonal influenza. In a cluster-randomized double-blind study, investigators examined whether immunizing children (age range, 3–15 years) against influenza protects the whole community. This study was conducted in Hutterite colonies (religious communities of <120 people) in rural Canada during the 2008–2009 influenza season.

Children in 22 colonies received influenza vaccine, and children in 24 colonies received hepatitis A vaccine (control). The children and their contacts in the community were assessed for illness twice weekly and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) if symptoms developed. Six influenza-vaccinated and 13 hepatitis-vaccinated colonies experienced outbreaks. Overall, 119 cases of influenza were confirmed by PCR: 39 of 1271 unvaccinated individuals in the flu-vaccinated communities and 80 of 1055 individuals in the hepatitis A–vaccinated communities (3.1% vs. 7.6%). Immunization of children conferred significant protection against influenza among unvaccinated community members (61%).

Comment: This unique study provides the most clear-cut evidence to date of the importance of children in the spread of influenza. Immunization of children not only protected children but conferred a large protective effect on the entire community. When vaccine shortages occur, vaccination of children, in addition to other high-risk groups, should be a high priority.

— Peggy Sue Weintrub, MD

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine March 24, 2010

Citation(s):
Loeb M et al. Effect of influenza vaccination of children on infection rates in Hutterite communities: A randomized trial. JAMA 2010 Mar 10; 303:943.