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Report on Influenza Vaccination Dr J Mizzi - Dr V Zammit - Dr M Borg - Dr C Barbara Certain reports in the local media on the European Influenza Conference held in Malta in October 2002 were misleading. It was stated that an ‘epidemic’ of ‘killer influenza’ is expected this coming winter similar to the great pandemics that occurred last century. Alarmed parents are asking for the influenza vaccine for their children, in the misguided belief that this would offer protection against pandemic influenza.Pandemic influenza should be clearly distinguished from the epidemic influenza that occurs seasonally every year during the winter months. A pandemic is possible when an influenza A virus changes dramatically and unexpectedly through a process known as "shift." This shift results in a virus to which the general population has no immunity. Influenza pandemics are sudden and unpredictable yet inevitable events. There were three pandemics during the twentieth century (1918, 1957,1968). At present, the world is in an inter-pandemic period. The current trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is intended to protect against the strains expected in the coming season. The current influenza vaccine available includes the following strains: A/New Caledonia/20/99(H1N1)-like virus, A/Moscow/10/99(H3N2)-like virus, B/Hong Kong/330/2001-like virus. The influenza vaccine is currently recommended for children at high risk for influenza-related complications:
Immunisation is also recommended for those living in long stay residential accommodation. Immunisation of healthy children is not recommended as a routine. Children aged 6 months to <9 years receiving influenza vaccine for the first time require two doses a month apart. Influenza vaccine is contraindicated in children aged <6 months. The inactivated influenza vaccine has few side effects, with the most common being soreness at the injection site (in about 25% of recipients). Systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, and myalgia can occur after vaccination, especially in young children who have not previously been exposed to the virus antigens in the vaccine. These symptoms may begin six to 12 hours after vaccination and last one to two days. Although these symptoms may be similar to those of influenza infection, parents should be reminded that the inactivated vaccine does not contain infectious virus and cannot cause influenza. In brief,
References Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan Planning, World Health Organization, 1999, http://www.who.int/emc-documents/influenza/whocdscsredc991c.html WHO Guidelines on the Use of Vaccines and Antivirals during Influenza Pandemics, http://www.who.int/emc/diseases/flu/whoguidelines.htm Immunisation against Infectious Disease, Edited by D.M. Salisbury, N.T. Begg, 1996, London, HMSO. Immunisation policy, Department of Health, UK, 2002, http://www.doh.gov.uk/flu/fluqa.htm Prevention of Influenza: Summary of 2002 ACIP Recommendations, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2002, http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/dpc/adps/flu02/acipsum.pdf November 2002 |
