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February 20, 2020
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Flu vaccine 55% effective in children this season, early estimates show

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The 2019-2020 influenza vaccine has been 45% effective overall in the United States this season and 55% effective in children, according to preliminary estimates published today in MMWR.

Based on data from more than 4,100 adults and children, vaccine effectiveness (VE) against any type of influenza was estimated to be 45% (95% CI, 36%-53%), including 50% against influenza B/Victoria viruses (95% CI, 39%-59%) and 37% against influenza A(H1N1) (95% CI, 19%-52%).

The season got off to an early and unusual start, with influenza B viruses predominating. B viruses are more common in children, and this season has been particularly tough on school-age kids.

Overall, there have been 26 million to 36 million illnesses and 12 million to 17 million medical visits attributed to influenza in the U.S. this season, according to CDC estimates. The agency estimates that there have been 250,000 to 440,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 to 36,000 deaths related to influenza this season.

The 2019-2020 influenza vaccine has been 45% effective overall in the United States this season and 55% effective in children, according to preliminary estimates published today in MMWR.

As of Feb. 8, there were 92 reported influenza-related pediatric deaths attributed to influenza. Other than the 2009 pandemic, this is the largest number recorded at this point in the season since reporting began during the 2004-2005 season, according to the authors of the MMWR report.

The VE estimates were consistent with those from previous seasons, which ranged from 40% to 60% when influenza vaccines were antigenically matched to circulating viruses, the authors noted.

The rate of outpatient visits attributed to influenza first exceeded the national baseline during the week ending Nov. 9 — signaling the earliest start to an influenza season in more than a decade, the authors said.

After an executive order was issued by the White House on Sept. 19, the CDC, NIH, FDA and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority began collaborating to improve the effectiveness of influenza vaccines. – by Ken Downey Jr.

Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.