Vaccine Effectiveness Against Influenza Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visits in 2 A(H3N2) Dominant Influenza Seasons Among Children <18 Years Old-New Vaccine Surveillance Network 2016-2017 and 2017-2018

Studies have shown egg-adaptive mutations in influenza vaccine strains that might have impaired protection against circulating A(H3N2) influenza viruses during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. We used the test-negative design and multivariable models to assess vaccine effectiveness against influenza-associated hospitalization and emergency department visits among children (<18 years old) during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. Effectiveness was 71% (95% confidence interval, 59%-79%), 46% (35%-55%), and 45% (33%-55%) against A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), and B viruses respectively, across both seasons. During high-severity seasons with concerns for vaccine mismatch, vaccination offered substantial protection against severe influenza outcomes requiring hospitalization or emergency department visits among children. With use of the test-negative design to evaluate influenza vaccine effectiveness, vaccination in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons halved the risk of children requiring hospitalization or emergency department visits owing to influenza-related illness.

Automated summary

Influenza vaccine had effectiveness of 71%, 46%, and 45% against A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), and B viruses, respectively in children during the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 seasons. Vaccination offered substantial protection against severe influenza outcomes requiring hospitalization or emergency department visits among children during high-severity seasons with concerns for vaccine mismatch.