Do recommended high-risk adults benefit from a first influenza vaccination?
It is unknown whether a first influenza vaccination protects high-risk adults from severe morbidity and mortality during influenza epidemics. As part of the PRISMA nested case-control study, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of first-time and repeat influenza vaccinations in adult persons recommended for vaccination aged between 18 and 64 years during the 1999-2000 influenza A epidemic. After adjustments, 69% of hospitalizations for acute respiratory or cardiovascular disease or death were prevented in first-time vaccinees (95% percent confidence interval [95% CI]: 8-90%). The corresponding figure in persons who were vaccinated before was 85% (95% CI: 36-96%). Adult persons with high-risk medical conditions can substantially benefit from a first and repeat influenza vaccination prior to an epidemic.
Hak
E
E
Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Health Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, HP 6.139, P.O. Box 85060, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.hak@med.uu.nl
Buskens
E
E
Nichol
K L
KL
Verheij
T J M
TJ
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
D007252:Influenza Vaccines