Population-based surveillance for pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations in Connecticut during the 2003-2004 influenza season: A tool to evaluate vaccine recommendations and assess their impact


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5010.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - Board 5

Abstract #113413

Paula Clogher, MPH¹, James Meek, MPH¹, Sharon Hurd, MPH¹, Robert Heimer, PhD², and James Hadler, MD, MPH³. (1) Connecticut Emerging Infections Program, Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, 1 Church Street, 7th floor, New Haven, CT 06510, 203-764-4360, paula.clogher@yale.edu, (2) Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St., P.O Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06511, (3) Infectious Disease Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11FDS, Hartford, CT 006134-0308

Background: Beginning with the 2002-03 influenza season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded influenza vaccination guidelines to encourage vaccination of healthy 6-23 month olds. At the time, no system was in place to monitor influenza severity in children nor to assess these expanded recommendations. Thus, population-based active surveillance for pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations was implemented in Connecticut and eight other Emerging Infections Program Network states. Objective: To provide baseline incidence data and to assess implementation of the 2002-2003 ACIP influenza vaccine recommendations by determining age-specific rates, clinical and epidemiologic characteristics and vaccination status of children with severe influenza infections. Methods: Prospective and retrospective case finding was conducted at two hospitals in New Haven, Connecticut between October 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004 to identify all pediatric hospital admissions with laboratory-confirmed influenza infections among residents of an 11-town catchment area around New Haven. Results: Surveillance identified 98 cases of pediatric hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Overall incidence was 108 per 100,000 population and 598 per 100,000 among children < 2 years old. Cases < 2 years old had fewer underlying medical conditions than those 2-17 years old (27% vs. 64%). Overall, pre-vaccination for the 2003-2004 flu season was low (12%) with only 5 (15%) of the 6-23 month olds vaccinated. Conclusions: Connecticut's high incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations among otherwise healthy infants and toddlers, when combined with multi-site surveillance data, supports the ACIP recommendation that healthy 6-23 month olds receive influenza vaccine and provides baseline data to evaluate its future impact.

Learning Objectives:

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session, the participant will be able to
- 1) Recognize the role that population-based surveillance plays in the evaluation of pediatric vaccination policy.
- 2) List key clinical characteristics associated with laboratory confirmed influenza infection among hospitalized pediatric case patients in CT.
- 3) Discuss the significance of the ACIP policy change to recommend vaccinating healthy 6-23 month olds against influenza.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

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The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA