Study shows flu vaccine effective against severe illness in kids

New Delhi, Dec 28: Influenza vaccine is effective for preventing severe influenza illness, including hospitalisation among children, according to a study.The study led by researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed having at least one dose of influenza vaccine was estimated to be over 50 per cent effective in protecting children against influenza-related emergency department and hospital visits.Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect children against influenza and its complications, including severe illness and hospitalisation,” said the researchers in the paper.Improving vaccine uptake in children may reduce influenza illness and, subsequently, emergency department and hospital visits in a time of increased respiratory virus co-circulation,” they added.For the study, published online in the JAMA Network Open, the team analysed data from 15,728 children aged 6 months through 17 years who presented for care with acute respiratory illness.About 17.2 per cent of participants had positive influenza tests, while 82.8 per cent had negative.