New research shows that flu vaccines provide strong protection for children but underscores the need for improved efficacy against specific subtypes like H3N2. Rapid communication: Effectiveness of influenza vaccines in children aged 6 to 59 months: a test-negative case–control study at primary care and hospital level, Spain 2023/24 . Image Credit: Billion Photos / Shutterstock A Spanish study investigating the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in children finds that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing influenza infection and related hospitalization.
The study is published in the journal Eurosurveillance . Background Global estimates indicate that influenza infections affect 109 million infants aged 0 to 59 months yearly. Both younger and older age groups are highly susceptible to developing severe influenza infections.
Comparison to international data: The study’s findings are comparable with interim results from the 2023/24 flu season in Europe and North America, where similar effectiveness was observed against A(H1N1)pdm09, although the effectiveness against H3N2 was consistently low across regions In Spain, children under five and older adults aged 65 years or above have the highest rates of influenza-related hospitalization. Regarding virus transmission, evidence indicates that children play a key role in the community circulation of the virus and in the amplification of influenza epidemics. For the first time at the national level, influenza vaccinati.