Publication

School-located influenza vaccination decreases laboratory-confirmed influenza and improves school attendance

Authored by:

Pannaraj PS, Wang H-L, Rivas, et al.

Full Citation:

Pannaraj PS, Wang H-L, Rivas, et al. 2014. School-located influenza vaccination decreases laboratory-confirmed influenza and improves school attendance. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 59(3).

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Additional key concepts from this publication:

Immunization can help protect unimmunized children, adults and the elderly through herd effects.

Key Evidence: School-aged children (5-18 years old) experience the highest attack rates of influenza of any age group and are thus the most important means of spread of infection in the community, making them crucial targets for influenza vaccination. In a study of school-based influenza vaccination in Los Angeles County, California, schools that offered flu vaccine to their students reduced the risk of any child getting the flu by 30% (regardless of vaccination status) compared to schools that did not offer flu vaccine to students.

Vaccine-preventable diseases can cause children to miss time in school. Vaccination can help reduce school absenteeism.

Key Evidence: In a study of school-based influenza vaccination in Los Angeles County, California, children who were vaccinated missed significantly fewer days of school than children who were not (2.8 vs. 4.3 per 100 school days).