Influenza Epidemiology, Vaccine Coverage and Vaccine Effectiveness in Children Admitted to Sentinel Australian Hospitals in 2017: Results from the PAEDS-FluCAN Collaboration

Abstract

Significant influenza-associated morbidity was observed in 2017 in Australia. Most hospitalized children had no comorbid conditions. Vaccine coverage and antiviral use was inadequate. Influenza vaccine was protective in 2017, yet VE was lower than previous seasons. Multiple Australian states have introduced funded preschool vaccination programs in 2018. Additional efforts to promote vaccination and monitor effectiveness are required.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Influenza A and B Virus Infection in Adult Australian Hospitalised Patients

“…These differences could be related to the lack of diagnostic con rmation of in uenza during the recommended period for anti-viral treatment recommendation (i.e. within 48 hours of onset of symptoms) [34]. However, similar to other studies [35,36] we also found that hospitalised in uenza patients, who received antiviral treatment were more likely to have a less severe illness as re ected by fewer ICU admissions (19.8% vs. 24.9%) and signi cantly lower in hospital mortality (1.1% vs. 2.5%, P < 0.05) than those who did not receive anti-viral therapy.…”

CSF neopterin, a useful biomarker in children presenting with influenza associated encephalopathy?

“…The overall influenza immunisation rate during 2017 in Australia was low at 33%, 32 however a recently observed rate of vaccine receipt among children was even lower at 17.1%. 33 Four age-specific quadrivalent influenza vaccines containing two strains of Influenza A (H1N1 [Michigan] and H3N2 [Hong Kong]) and two strains of influenza B (Brisbane and Phuket) were available in 2017. Children older than six months were eligible to be vaccinated and the vaccine was provided free to children with neurological disease.…”

Future Pandemic Influenza Virus Detection Relies on the Existing Influenza Surveillance Systems: A Perspective from Australia and New Zealand

“…Another network, FluCAN (Australian Influenza Complications Alert Network) [15], records hospital attendance and admissions from patients suffering from influenza across all age groups. These networks allow the estimation of influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against medical attendance for community-based individuals [16] and against hospital admission each year [17]. These detection methods are supplemented by a national online weekly reporting surveillance system for cough and fever (Flutracking) [18], as well as a national medical hotline [19], which records enquiries related to ILI.…”