Study underscores the importance of flu vaccination

An international team of researchers has shown that among patients hospitalized for influenza, those who were vaccinated had fewer serious infections, including a nearly half reduction in the likelihood that children would need to be admitted to an intensive care unit.

In addition, the researchers found that deaths in hospitalized adults aged 65 and over who had been vaccinated were 38% lower than those who had not been vaccinated.

“A common complaint about influenza vaccines is that they are typically 40-60% effective against infection – or the ‘what’s the point?’ Complaint. Therefore, it is important to note that although all participants in this study were hospitalized, vaccinated individuals were less likely to become seriously ill or die, suggesting that if you are vaccinated, you are likely to have far less serious outcomes,” he said Dr. Annette Regan, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, assistant professor of epidemiology and lead author of the peer-reviewed research published this week in the October issue of The Lancet Infectious Diseases, “This is an important point, especially with influenza on the horizon season in conjunction with ongoing COVID-19 activity, both this season and in the future.”

Globally, influenza contributes to 9.5 million hospital admissions, 81.5 million hospital days and 145,000 deaths each year. Vaccination offers the best method of preventing influenza illness, reducing illness by 40-60% in the general population, experts say.

Special, The lancet The analysis found that three groups routinely selected for influenza vaccination experienced less severe illness. Children who received only part of their first flu vaccine series had a 36% lower chance of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU), and children who fully completed their first flu vaccine series had a 48% lower chance of being admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). lower chance of being admitted to an intensive care unit compared to unvaccinated children, the researchers found.

The study – “Severity of influenza illness associated with seasonal influenza vaccination in hospitalized patients in four South American countries” – is the product of an international team of researchers from the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Paraguay, and drew on data from all four South American countries over a seven-year period. Data were obtained through the Latin American and Caribbean Influenza Vaccine Efficacy Evaluation Network (REVELAC-i), coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

“Although several studies have reported a decrease in influenza illness after influenza vaccination, the results were primarily focused on adults in the United States, and this study aimed to assess the severity of influenza illness based on vaccination status in a broad range of populations range of ages and across all age groups in several South American countries,” said Dr. Marta von Horoch, a co-author who serves as coordinator of the National Immunization Program in Paraguay United States and across the continent, and these results clearly demonstrate the importance of influenza vaccination for children and adults, regardless of where they live.”

The study — the first-ever of its scale in South America — examined flu-related hospitalization rates and outcomes in all four countries from 2013 to 2019. Specifically, the analysts reviewed the results of approximately 2,747 patients hospitalized with confirmed influenza virus infection across three age groups — children aged 6 to 24 months, adults aged 18 to 64, and adults aged 65 or over older.

Given that immunization rates have fallen in the United States and around the world, including among children, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings should help educate the public about the benefits of timely, proactive immunization campaigns, the researchers said.

As influenza season approaches this winter and influenza vaccines are now available, these results underscore the importance of getting the flu shot for everyone six months old or older — as recommended by the CDC. It is vital that healthcare providers and the public understand the risks of missing out on vaccinations – it is so much better to prevent serious illness than to suffer from it, for the patient and everyone in their community.”

dr Annette Regan, assistant professor of epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health