title: The impact of influenza vaccination on respiratory illness at a boarding school.
abstract: We studied the impact of influenza vaccine during an outbreak of influenza at a 989-student boarding school in January to March, 1989. By February 6, 120 (17%) of 690 students completing survey questionnaires had been ill with fever and respiratory symptoms. Eighty-seven students had received influenza vaccine in the previous 18 months; these students had an attack rate half that of the unvaccinated students (9% v 19%; vaccine efficacy = 50%, confidence interval = 0%-70%). We estimate that, if the entire student body had been vaccinated, influenza-like illness could have been prevented in 162 students (16% of the school), and that preventing this illness could have avoided at least 482 student-days of missed classes, or approximately one student-day for each 1.8 additional doses of vaccine given. This study suggests that, when feasible, a broad influenza immunization policy for healthy students at residential schools should substantially decrease the disruption of school activities caused by influenza.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, New Orleans.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Farley
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: St Germain
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krassner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012572:School Health Services; D012621:Seasons; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines