Seasonal flu: Benefits of childhood vaccination; '06-'07 flu season wrap-up

Among the many vaccine-related contributions to the latest issue of Pediatrics (dated September 1) is a paper titled "Childhood Influenza: Number Needed to Vaccinate to Prevent 1 Hospitalization or Outpatient Visit." (free abstract; subscription required for full text). The authors seek to evaluate the potential benefit of influenza vaccination of children ages 6-59 months following the ACIP decision last year to add this group to those for whom the vaccine is recommended annually.

Determining the "number needed to treat" is a common tool of epidemiologists and those interested in the cost-effectiveness of medical treatments. The methods and results of this study don't lend themselves well to summary, but here is the authors' one-sentence conclusion:

"With 1 outpatient visit being prevented through vaccination of [fewer than] 50 children, influenza vaccination can reduce influenza-attributable medical visits in children significantly, even in years with modest vaccine efficacy."

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Speaking of influenza vaccination, a report in MMWR in mid-August wrapped up the 2006-07 flu season and previewed the vaccine composition for the upcoming 07-08 season.

The report notes that the 2006-07 season was comparatively mild relative to the 3 flu seasons that preceded it, as mortality and pediatric hospitality rates were all below those of recent year.

The influenza vaccine for the upcoming season will include two of the same strains in last year's vaccine, with FDA advisers opting to include one different influenza A component. (Each season's vaccine includes two influenza A and one influenza B components.