Flu vaccination reduces hospitalization frequency in children

Bob has mentioned in class multiple times his theory that getting vaccinated, while it does not always mean complete prevention of infection/illness, likely does still reduce the severity of illness upon infection. Well, a recent study performed by Public Health Ontario and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences has analyzed data which support just such a claim.

These organizations found that in 100,000 children between the ages of six months and five years old those who have been vaccinated are statistically significantly less likely to be hospitalized as a result of serious complications from influenza infection. As we know, influenza viruses are of the family Orthomyxoviridae, and these viruses are commonplace. We have routine vaccination programs as winter/fall approaches every year using tri or quadrivalent vaccines to protect against virulent strains each year. While the vaccine is effective more oft than not, it is occasionally true that some vaccinated individuals still present with illness as a result of influenza infection. So, was it worth getting the vaccine at all?

This study would say yes! For children fully vaccinated against flu (who still presented with illness: that's 12.8% of the 100,000), their likelihood of hospitalization as a result of this infection was reduced by 60% relative to unvaccinated cases. In children partially vaccinated (only got one dose as opposed to two), this likelihood was still reduced by nearly 40%. These numbers increase change when age groups are restricted to ages 2 to 4. It is true that influenza is generally a mild to low-severe range infection, but many individuals (especially small children) succumb to very serious, severe illness that can result in hospitalization and possibly death. These data were gathered over four influenza seasons.

Thus, it would appear that getting a vaccine does indeed assist in lowering the severity of infection that you experience even if you still get the illness! Nice prediction, Bob!

Time "flu" away while writing this, so I gotta blast!

-javarcia ivory


https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/11/171117141759.htm