Children in the United States and Canada are being vaccinated against influenza without adequate proof that it will work, concludes a study published in this weeks issue of TheLancet.
Most immunization campaigns target people aged 65 years or older. The United States and Canada have recently started vaccinating children, including those aged six to 24 months, in the hope of reducing disease spread, admissions and visits to hospitals, deaths of elderly relatives, complications (such as ear infections and pneumonia), absences from school, and parental loss of workdays and over-prescribing of antibiotics. However, there is no evidence that vaccinating children can achieve these goals.
Tom Jefferson, MD (Cochrane Vaccines Field, Italy), and colleagues identified and assessed 25 comparative studies that evaluated the efficacy (reduction in laboratory confirmed case) and effectiveness (reduction in symptomatic cases) of influenza vaccines in healthy children aged 16 years or younger.
Vaccines of live viruses with weakened infectivity had 79 percent efficacy and 38 percent effectiveness in children older than two years compared with placebo or no immunization. Inactivated vaccines had a lower efficacy (65 percent) than live weakened vaccines, and in children aged two years or younger they had similar effects to placebo. Effectiveness of inactivated vaccines was about 28 percent in children older than two years. Vaccines were effective in reducing long school absences but had little effect on other outcomes, such as hospital stays and lower respiratory tract disease, when compared with placebo or no intervention. However, the authors note that these conclusions are based on a small number of studies.
We have identified a large dataset showing reasonable quality evidence of efficacy of influenza vaccines in children age two years or older, especially for two-dose live attenuated vaccines, says Jefferson. However, we noted a striking difference between efficacy and effectiveness of vaccines because of the large proportion of influenza-like illness caused by agents other than influenza viruses. This is an important point in the decision to immunize whole populations. Immunization of very young children is not lent support by our findings. Although a growing body of evidence shows effect of influenza on admissions and deaths of children, we recorded no convincing evidence that vaccines can reduce mortality, hospital admissions, serious complications and community transmission of influenza.
Source: The Lancet
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
Broadening the Path: Diverse Educational Routes Into Infection Prevention Careers
July 4th 2025Once dominated by nurses, infection prevention now welcomes professionals from public health, lab science, and respiratory therapy—each bringing unique expertise that strengthens patient safety and IPC programs.
How Contaminated Is Your Stretcher? The Hidden Risks on Hospital Wheels
July 3rd 2025Despite routine disinfection, hospital surfaces, such as stretchers, remain reservoirs for harmful microbes, according to several recent studies. From high-touch areas to damaged mattresses and the effectiveness of antimicrobial coatings, researchers continue to uncover persistent risks in environmental hygiene, highlighting the critical need for innovative, continuous disinfection strategies in health care settings.