Influenza

A recently published study on 17 million children found combined flu and COVID-19 vaccines offered superior protection against hospitalization, MIS-C, and death during the pandemic.

The study authors wrote that future work could prioritize data from late summer and early fall seasons to better ascertain lead time values.

Gary Marshall, MD, discusses the critical role that children play in influenza transmission.

Gary Marshall, MD, provides an overview of influenza and the timing and duration of the disease from recent flu seasons.

In the almost 10 years of data collected by the research team, nearly 1.5 million antiviral medications were dispensed to pediatric patients, and oseltamivir accounted for 99.8% of those prescriptions.

The 2022-2023 influenza season was the fourth season to be classified as high severity since the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. 

Overall, the study authors concluded that the immunogenicity of QIV and TIV was similar for common influenza ingredients for children aged 6 to 35 months.

Influenza vaccination is especially crucial among children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe outcomes.

Ravi Jhaveri, MD, shares approaches to addressing common concerns among parents and guardians regarding the flu vaccine for children.

Ravi Jhaveri, MD, discusses challenges in patient access to flu vaccines, and comments on the need to increase opportunities for vaccination for all pediatric patients.

Ravi Jhaveri, MD, reviews the different types of influenza vaccines for pediatric populations, highlighting the differences between egg-based and cell-based flu vaccines.

Ravi Jhaveri, MD, comments on the burden of influenza on children, specifically secondary infections and post-flu fatigue.

Review some of the top stories from the Contemporary Pediatrics website over the last week, and catch up on anything you may have missed.

A usability study demonstrated that individuals older than 18 years could self-administer the intranasal treatment or administer it to eligible patients aged 2 to 49 years, when given instructions and no additional guidance.

The combination vaccine candidates demonstrated a safety profile consistent with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. A phase 3 trial is anticipated to commence in the coming months, according to a press release from Pfizer.

A new study suggests that new information on who is most likely to have a reaction may help boost immunizations.

At IDWeek 2023, several authors share a study on mother-infant pairs, evaluating for differences in rates of influenza infections in infants.

Compared to clinician nudges alone, higher receipt of influenza vaccination among children with special risk medical conditions (SRMCs) was observed when their respective parents received an additional short message service (SMS) reminder.

As we head into cold and flu season, researchers try to answer the question of what physical interventions are best for infection prevention.

A new study notes that coinfections, amongst other issues, can complicate diagnosis and management of respiratory infections in children.

Standout updates include a relaxed recommendation for patients with a history of egg allergies, and that all available influenza vaccines for the 2023 to 2024 flu season are quadrivalent.

Besides its influenza pipeline, mRNA technology is helping this pharmaceutical company create a number of new vaccines for cancer, rare diseases, and infectious diseases.

Previously available under an Emergency Use Authorization, the combination test can detect and distinguish COVID-19, influenza A/B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The clearance comes ahead of respiratory season, which, according to BD, could result in another “tripledemic” threat.

From vaccinations to classroom behavior to math and reading levels, a discussion on how to best prepare children for the coming academic year.

Influenza vaccination is especially crucial among children and adolescents with chronic medical conditions that put them at high risk for severe outcomes.

In a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was shown that symptoms and hospitalizations associated with influenza this season are higher among children than adults.

Stay on the nice list with these tips to help stop the spread of winter respiratory viruses.

New surveillance data from the 2021-22 influenza show the impact of coinfection among younger patients.

In a recent study, infants born from mothers vaccinated against influenza were less likely to be hospitalized from the disease than those born to unvaccinated mothers.

Tell your patients to get their annual flu vaccines for best protection against illness.