User login
One hundred fifty-three laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths in children were reported during the 2003–2004 influenza season; this number may exceed childhood mortality associated with other vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States.
Dr. Niranjan Bhat and Jennifer G. Wright, D.V.M., and their associates at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, reported that high priority should be given to improvements in influenza-vaccine coverage and in the early diagnosis and treatment of influenza to reduce childhood mortality from influenza (N. Engl. J. Med. 2005;353:2559–67).
In the study, mortality was highest among children younger than 6 months and next highest among those 6–23 months of age.
Forty state health departments reported 153 influenza-associated deaths with a median age of 3 years between Oct. 11, 2003, and April 13, 2004.
Of 149 children for whom information was available, 33% had an underlying condition known to increase the risk of influenza-related complications, 20% had other chronic conditions, and 47% had previously been healthy.
One-third of the deaths occurred when chronic neurologic or neuromuscular conditions were present. These have not previously been considered a risk for complications, but compromised respiratory function or handling of respiratory secretions might be worth considering in terms of vaccination in some of the disorders identified in this study, the researchers said.
Of the 111 children whose influenza-vaccination status was available, 16% had received at least one dose of vaccine during the season.
The researchers reported that only 8 of the 18 children who had received at least one dose during the season had documentation of full vaccination during that season; 5 had been vaccinated in a previous season, and 3 were older than 9 years.
One hundred fifty-three laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths in children were reported during the 2003–2004 influenza season; this number may exceed childhood mortality associated with other vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States.
Dr. Niranjan Bhat and Jennifer G. Wright, D.V.M., and their associates at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, reported that high priority should be given to improvements in influenza-vaccine coverage and in the early diagnosis and treatment of influenza to reduce childhood mortality from influenza (N. Engl. J. Med. 2005;353:2559–67).
In the study, mortality was highest among children younger than 6 months and next highest among those 6–23 months of age.
Forty state health departments reported 153 influenza-associated deaths with a median age of 3 years between Oct. 11, 2003, and April 13, 2004.
Of 149 children for whom information was available, 33% had an underlying condition known to increase the risk of influenza-related complications, 20% had other chronic conditions, and 47% had previously been healthy.
One-third of the deaths occurred when chronic neurologic or neuromuscular conditions were present. These have not previously been considered a risk for complications, but compromised respiratory function or handling of respiratory secretions might be worth considering in terms of vaccination in some of the disorders identified in this study, the researchers said.
Of the 111 children whose influenza-vaccination status was available, 16% had received at least one dose of vaccine during the season.
The researchers reported that only 8 of the 18 children who had received at least one dose during the season had documentation of full vaccination during that season; 5 had been vaccinated in a previous season, and 3 were older than 9 years.
One hundred fifty-three laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths in children were reported during the 2003–2004 influenza season; this number may exceed childhood mortality associated with other vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States.
Dr. Niranjan Bhat and Jennifer G. Wright, D.V.M., and their associates at the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Atlanta, reported that high priority should be given to improvements in influenza-vaccine coverage and in the early diagnosis and treatment of influenza to reduce childhood mortality from influenza (N. Engl. J. Med. 2005;353:2559–67).
In the study, mortality was highest among children younger than 6 months and next highest among those 6–23 months of age.
Forty state health departments reported 153 influenza-associated deaths with a median age of 3 years between Oct. 11, 2003, and April 13, 2004.
Of 149 children for whom information was available, 33% had an underlying condition known to increase the risk of influenza-related complications, 20% had other chronic conditions, and 47% had previously been healthy.
One-third of the deaths occurred when chronic neurologic or neuromuscular conditions were present. These have not previously been considered a risk for complications, but compromised respiratory function or handling of respiratory secretions might be worth considering in terms of vaccination in some of the disorders identified in this study, the researchers said.
Of the 111 children whose influenza-vaccination status was available, 16% had received at least one dose of vaccine during the season.
The researchers reported that only 8 of the 18 children who had received at least one dose during the season had documentation of full vaccination during that season; 5 had been vaccinated in a previous season, and 3 were older than 9 years.