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LAIV noninferior to inactivated influenza vaccine in young children
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In children younger than 2 years, the live-attenuated influenza vaccine is highly effective when compared with placebo and as effective as the inactivated influenza vaccine, according to recent study findings published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
Seven previously conducted randomized controlled trials and two observational studies that included healthy children younger than 2 years who received an LAIV were examined to compare its effectiveness with placebo or inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV).
M. Hassan Murad, MD, MPH, of Wayne State University School of Medicine and Detroit Medical Center, and colleagues found that the incidence of influenza was reduced by LAIV compared with placebo (RR=0.36; 95% CI, 0.23-0.58). However, minor adverse effects increased with LAIV, including fever (RR=1.16; 95% CI, 1.04-1.3) and rhinorrhea (RR=1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31), compared with participants who received placebo. Similar effectiveness was found in participants aged 6 to 11 months who received LAIV compared with IIV (RR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.45-1.3). There also was an increase in hospitalization rates and wheezing with LAIV.
“LAIV is highly effective in children 2 years of age and younger compared to placebo and is at least as effective compared to IIV,” the researchers wrote. “The safety profile of LAIV is reasonable, although evidence is sparse. LAIV may be considered as an option in this age group, particularly during seasons with vaccine shortage and during a pandemic response.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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