Do flu vaccines administered in winter months protect children?

Influenza, a seasonal flu disease caused by A and B viruses that emerges in epidemics worldwide every year, appears during the winter seasons in temperate climates like that of our country.

Emphasizing that this issue, which concerns all children, is of particular importance for children under two years of age who are considered a high-risk group, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manolya Kara stated that the hospitalization rate due to influenza is higher in children under 5 years of age compared to children over 5 years of age.

'IT THREATENS CHILDREN'S LIVES'

Pointing out that approximately one billion seasonal flu cases are observed worldwide annually, with 3 to 5 million of these developing into serious illness, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kara said, “290,000 to 650,000 people lose their lives annually due to influenza-related respiratory complications. While the risk is higher in those with chronic diseases, approximately half of the influenza-related deaths in childhood occur in healthy children who have no underlying issues.”

WHEN SHOULD THE FLU VACCINE BE ADMINISTERED?

Stating that influenza (flu) vaccines provide protection against the influenza virus subtypes predicted to be most common in the upcoming season and that the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for everyone over 6 months of age, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kara said, “However, the flu vaccine must be administered to individuals at high risk of developing complications (severe illness) due to the flu.

The vaccine should preferably be administered at least two weeks before flu cases begin to appear. In these days when flu cases are starting to increase in our country, those who have not yet been vaccinated should definitely get vaccinated,” she said.

SHARED THE DATA

Stating that the effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary depending on various factors such as the seasonal virus type and the immune system of the person being vaccinated, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manolya Kara continued her words as follows:

“The flu vaccine protects individuals especially from 'severe illness' and 'hospitalization.' For example; in the 2019-2020 season, which was the last flu season before the COVID-19 pandemic, it is estimated that the flu vaccine prevented an estimated 7.5 million flu cases and 6,300 flu-related deaths.

A study conducted in 2021 showed that among adults hospitalized for the flu, vaccinated patients had a 26 percent lower risk of being admitted to the intensive care unit and a 31 percent lower risk of flu-related death compared to those who were unvaccinated.”