Influenza News

SAN DIEGO — A web-based system could help preschools and child care centers report illness to public health centers more quickly, as well as allow for detection of disease outbreaks, according to research presented at the 2014 AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

SAN DIEGO — Perceived susceptibility to influenza, benefits of vaccination and fewer side effects were most influential on a caregiver’s intent to have their child vaccinated, according to data presented here.

Alere Inc. and InDevR Inc. have each entered into a contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services to further development on two influenza virus tests, according to a press release.

According to new data published in a recent MMWR report and presented at a National Foundation for Infectious Diseases press conference, 47% percent of the 107 pediatric influenza-related deaths reported last year occurred in children with no prior medical conditions. This news, along with the latest influenza vaccination coverage estimates, was presented by Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, director of the CDC, and Paul A. Offit, MD, an Infectious Diseases in Children Editorial Board member, among other panel members.

Influenza vaccine is safe for children with egg allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and it recommends the vaccine for those children, along with those who have asthma.

The AAP recommends all individuals aged 6 months and older receive an annual seasonal influenza vaccination, according to a recent policy statement published in Pediatrics.

School-located vaccination programs, despite their benefits, struggle to remain financially sustainable, according to study data published in Pediatrics.

Receipt of the nasal live-attenuated influenza vaccine did not increase risk for respiratory deterioration or all-cause hospitalization among children with cystic fibrosis, study data showed.

Influenza vaccination rates have increased overall, but rates among healthy adults younger than 65 years remain less than 40%, according to new data presented at a National Foundation for Infectious Disease press conference.

A significant number of expired doses of live attenuated influenza vaccine doses were administered between 2007 and 2014, according to a recent MMWR report.