title: Higher vaccine effectiveness in seasons with predominant circulation of seasonal influenza A(H1N1) than in A(H3N2) seasons: test-negative case-control studies using surveillance data, Spain, 2003-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We used data provided by the Spanish influenza surveillance system to measure seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medically attended cases, laboratory confirmed with the predominately circulating influenza virus over eight seasons (2003-2011).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the test-negative case-control design, we compared the vaccination status of swabbed influenza-like illnesses (ILI) patients who were laboratory confirmed with predominantly circulating influenza strain in the season (cases) to that of ILI patients testing negative for any influenza (controls). Data on age, sex, vaccination status and laboratory results were available for all seasons. We used logistic regression to calculate adjusted influenza VE for age, week of swabbing, Spanish region and season. We calculated the influenza VE by each season and pooling the seasons with the same predominant type/subtype.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall influenza VE against infection with A(H3N2) subtype (four seasons) was 31 (95% confidence interval (CI):10; 48). For seasonal influenza A(H1N1) (two seasons), the effectiveness was 86% (95% CI: 65; 94). Against B infection (three seasons), influenza VE was 47% (95% CI: 27; 62).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Spanish influenza surveillance system allowed estimating influenza VE in the studied seasons for the predominant strain. Strengthening the influenza surveillance will result in more precise VE estimates for decision making.
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, National Centre of Epidemiology, c/Monforte de Lemos No. 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: camisav@gmail.com.
authors: Camelia
authors: C
authors: Savulescu
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, National Centre of Epidemiology, c/Monforte de Lemos No. 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Jiménez-Jorge
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, National Centre of Epidemiology, c/Monforte de Lemos No. 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Concha
authors: C
authors: Delgado-Sanz
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, National Centre of Epidemiology, c/Monforte de Lemos No. 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: de Mateo
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, Influenza Reference Laboratory, WHO National Influenza Centre, National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Pozo
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, Influenza Reference Laboratory, WHO National Influenza Centre, National Centre for Microbiology, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Inmaculada
authors: I
authors: Casas
authors: Institute of Health Carlos III, National Centre of Epidemiology, c/Monforte de Lemos No. 5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Amparo
authors: A
authors: Larrauri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D053122:Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines
keywords: Case control studies; Effectiveness; Influenza; Sentinel surveillance; Vaccines and immunisation