Open AccessInfluenza illness averted by influenza vaccination among school year children in Beijing, 2013‐2016
Author(s) -
Zhang Yi,
Cao Zhidong,
Costantino Valentina,
Muscatello David J.,
Chughtai Abrar A.,
Yang Peng,
Wang Quanyi,
MacIntyre C. Raina
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12585
Subject(s) - vaccination , beijing , medicine , immunization , pediatrics , live attenuated influenza vaccine , seasonal influenza , demography , disease burden , environmental health , influenza vaccine , disease , immunology , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , population , geography , archaeology , antigen , sociology , china
Background The benefit of school‐based influenza vaccination policy has not been fully addressed in Beijing. Objectives To evaluate the benefit of school‐based influenza vaccination policy launched in Beijing. Methods Using existing surveillance and immunization data, we developed a dynamic transmission model to assess the impact of influenza vaccination in school‐going children. The outcome was defined as the averted number of medically attended influenza illnesses and the prevented disease fraction to all children aged 5‐14 years for the 2013/14, 2014/15, and 2015/16 seasons. Results We estimated that during the three consecutive influenza seasons, the averted number of medically attended influenza illnesses among children aged 5‐14 years was around 104 000 (95% CI: 101 000‐106 000), 23 000 (95% CI: 22 000‐23 000), and 21 000 (95% CI: 21 000‐22 000), respectively. Corresponding prevented fractions to all children aged 5‐14 years were 76.3%, 38.5%, and 43.9%. Conclusions In Beijing, school‐based vaccinations reduced a substantial number of medically attended influenza illnesses despite seasonal variation in the prevented fraction. This is strong supportive evidence for the continuation of school‐based vaccination programs to reduce the influenza burden in this age group.