Influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in outpatient settings: A test-negative case-control study in Beijing,China, 2016/17 season

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to estimate influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) for the 2016/17 epidemic of co-circulating influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses in Beijing, the capital of China.MethodsThe surveillance-based study included all swabbed patients through influenza virological surveillance, between November 2016 and April 2017. A test-negative case-control design was used to estimate influenza VE against medically-attended laboratory-confirmed influenza in outpatient settings. Cases were influenza-like illness (ILI) patients who tested positive for influenza, and controls were influenza negative patients.ResultsA total of 10,496 ILI patients were enrolled and swabbed. Among them, 735 tested positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 1851 for A(H3N2), and 40 for type B. Of the 45 randomly selected specimens out of 1851 influenza A(H3N2) viruses, 2(4.4%) belonged to the H3N2 3C.2a1 clade, and 43(95.6%) belonged to A/Hong Kong/4801/2014-like 3C.2a clade. Among the 43 viruses of the 3C.2a clade, 32 viruses clustered in one subgroup carrying T131K, R142K and R261Q substitutions. The adjusted VE against all influenza was low at 25% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0–43%), with 54% (95%CI: 22–73%) for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, and 2% (95%CI: −35% to 29%) for influenza A(H3N2).ConclusionsOur study suggested a moderate VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, but low VE against influenza A(H3N2) in Beijing, 2016/17 season. Amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin may contribute to the low VE against influenza A(H3N2) for this season.     

A mid-term estimate of 2018/2019 vaccine effectiveness to prevent laboratory confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza cases in Sicily (Italy)

Influenza season started in Italy during the month of October 2018, approaching the epidemic peak in January 2019. This report aim to explore the mid-term virologic surveillance data of the 2018–2019 influenza season in Sicily and to estimate the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine (VE) against A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza viruses. A test-negative design was used to evaluate influenza VE.In Sicily, almost all influenza infections were sustained by influenza type A viruses, of which 62.3% were A(H3N2) and 36.3% A(H1N1)pdm09. A reduction of laboratory confirmed influenza cases in Sicilian population immunized against influenza were observed. In particular, an overall significant protective values were observed for any influenza A viruses (Adj-VE = 44.0%; 95%CI: 11.2–64.7%), especially among 15–64 years old age group (Adj-VE = 59.5%; 95%CI: 0.03–83.1) and among the elderly (Adj-VE = 73.6%; 95% CI: 29.4–90.2).     

End of season influenza vaccine effectiveness in primary care in adults and children in the United Kingdom in 2018/19

2018/19 was the first season of introduction of a newly licensed adjuvanted influenza vaccine (aTIV) for adults aged 65 years and over and the sixth season in the roll-out of a childhood influenza vaccination programme with a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). The season saw mainly A(H1N1)pdm09 and latterly A(H3N2) circulation.End-of-season adjusted vaccine effectiveness (aVE) estimates against laboratory confirmed influenza infection in primary care were calculated using the test negative case control method adjusting for key confounders. End-of-season aVE was 44.3% (95% CI: 26.8, 57.7) against all laboratory-confirmed influenza; 45.7% (95% CI: 26.0, 60.1) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 35.1% (95% CI: −3.7,59.3) against A(H3N2). Overall aVE was 49.9% (95%CI: −13.7, 77.9) for all those ≥ 65 years of age and 62.0% (95% CI: 3.4, 85.0) for those who received aTIV. Overall aVE for 2–17 year olds receiving LAIV was 48.6% (95% CI: −4.4, 74.7). The paper provides evidence of overall significant influenza VE in 2018/19, most notably against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, however, as seen in 2017/18, there was reduced, non-significant VE against A(H3N2). aTIV provided significant protection for those 65 years of age and over.     

The effect of seasonal influenza vaccine on medically-attended influenza and non-influenza respiratory viruses infections at primary care level,Hong Kong SAR, 2017/18 to 2019/20

Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) varies with the degree of matching with the vaccine and circulating viruses. We continued our SIV effectiveness against medically-attended influenza-like illness (ILI) under the Department of Health Hong Kong’s sentinel private medical practitioners (PMP) network, using the test-negative case-control design, for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season. In addition, we studied the potential interference between SIV and ILI caused by non-influenza respiratory viruses (NIRV) based on data collated from 2017/18 to 2019/20 seasons. 3404 patients were analysed. Across the 2017/18 to 2019/20 seasons, the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of SIV was 44% (95% CI 30–56%) against pan-negative controls, 57% (95%CI. 42–68%) against NIRV controls and 50% (95%CI 38–59%) against both. SIV was moderately effective against medically-attended ILI caused by influenza A/B in both 2018/19 and 2019/20 winter seasons (53.2% (95%CI 36.7–65.5%) and 41.8% (95%CI 6.3–64.1%), respectively). The VE against the main circulating subtype, influenza A(H1), was higher for the 2018/19 season (57.2% (95%CI 39.8–69.9%), compared to 34.6% (95%CI −9.6–61.4%) in the 2019/20 season). When compared to pan negative controls, those with single NIRV infections were similarly likely to have received SIV (OR 1.05 (95%CI 0.72–1.54) within the influenza season; OR 0.97 (95%CI 0.73–1.29) when including non-influenza seasons). Analyses by type of virus showed no increased risk of SIV identified among those with single infections of EV/RV, HMPV and parainfluenza but a 2-fold increased risk was shown for those with single infections of adenovirus and parainfluenza virus (adenovirus: OR 2.54 (95%CI 1.24–5.14) within influenza season and OR 1.78 (95%CI 1.01–3.09) for the whole period; parainfluenza virus: OR 2.01 (95%CI 1.22–3.29) within influenza season and OR 1.89 (95%CI 1.29–2.76) for the whole period). SIV programme and surveillance of influenza and NIRV, including SARS-CoV-2, should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in Italy: Age,subtype-specific and vaccine type estimates 2014/15 season

The 2014/15 influenza season in Europe was characterised by the circulation of influenza A(H3N2) viruses with an antigenic and genetic mismatch from the vaccine strain A/Texas/50/2012(H3N2) recommended for the Northern hemisphere for the 2014/15 season. Italy, differently from other EU countries where most of the subtyped influenza A viruses were H3N2, experienced a 2014/15 season characterized by an extended circulation of two influenza viruses: A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2), that both contributed substantially to morbidity.Within the context of the existing National sentinel influenza surveillance system (InfluNet) a test-negative case-control study was established in order to produce vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates. The point estimates VE were adjusted by age group (<5; 5–15; 15–64; 65+ years), the presence of at least one chronic condition, target group for vaccination and need help for walking or bathing. In Italy, adjusted estimates of the 2014/15 seasonal influenza VE against medically attended influenza-like illness (ILI) laboratory-confirmed as influenza for all age groups were 6.0% (95%CI: −36.5 to 35.2%), 43.6% (95%CI: −3.7 to 69.3%), −84.5% (95%CI: (−190.4 to −17.2%) and 50.7% (95% CI: −2.5 to 76.3%) against any influenza virus, A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B, respectively. These results suggest evidence of good VE against A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses in Italy and evidence of lack of VE against A(H3N2) virus due to antigenic and genetic mismatch between circulating A(H3N2) and the respective 2014/15 vaccine strain.     

Lineage-matched versus mismatched influenza B vaccine effectiveness following seasons of marginal influenza B circulation

BackgroundSeveral countries have recently transitioned from the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) to the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIV) in order to outweigh influenza B vaccine-mismatch. However, few studies thus far evaluated its benefits versus the TIV in a systematic manner. Our objective was to compare the QIV VE with lineage-mismatched TIV VE.MethodsWe estimated the 2015–2016, 2017–2018, 2019–2020 end-of season influenza B VE against laboratory-confirmed influenza-like illness (ILI) among community patients, using the test-negative design. VE was estimated for pre-determined age groups and for moving age intervals of 15 years.ResultsSince 2011–2012 season, alternate seasons in Israel were dominated by influenza B circulation. Compared with the lineage-mismatched TIV used during the 2015–2016 and 2017–2018 seasons, the 2019–2020 QIV showed the highest all-ages VE, with VE estimates of 56.9 (95% CI 30.1 to 73.4), 16.5 (95% CI –22.5 to 43.1) and ?25.8 (95% CI ?85.3 to 14.6) for the 2019–2020, 2017–2018 and 2015–2016 seasons, respectively. The 2019–2020 VE point estimated were the highest for the 0.5–4, 5–17 and 18–44 years age groups and for more 15-year age intervals as compared to the other seasons.ConclusionsOur results support the rapid transition from the TIV to the QIV.     

Understanding influenza vaccine protection in the community: An assessment of the 2013 influenza season in Victoria,Australia

BackgroundThe influenza virus undergoes frequent antigenic drift, necessitating annual review of the composition of the influenza vaccine. Vaccination is an important strategy for reducing the impact and burden of influenza, and estimating vaccine effectiveness (VE) each year informs surveillance and preventative measures. We aimed to describe the influenza season and to estimate the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in Victoria, Australia, in 2013.MethodsRoutine laboratory notifications, general practitioner sentinel surveillance (including a medical deputising service) data, and sentinel hospital admission surveillance data for the influenza season (29 April to 27 October 2013) were collated in Victoria, Australia, to describe influenza-like illness or confirmed influenza during the season. General practitioner sentinel surveillance data were used to estimate VE against medically-attended laboratory confirmed influenza. VE was estimated using the case test negative design as 1 − adjusted odds ratio (odds of vaccination in cases compared with controls) × 100%. Cases tested positive for influenza while non-cases (controls) tested negative. Estimates were adjusted for age group, week of onset, time to swabbing and co-morbidities.ResultsThe 2013 influenza season was characterised by relatively low activity with a late peak. Influenza B circulation preceded that of influenza A(H1)pdm09, with very little influenza A(H3) circulation. Adjusted VE for all influenza was 55% (95%CI: −11, 82), for influenza A(H1)pdm09 was 43% (95%CI: −132, 86), and for influenza B was 56% (95%CI: −51, 87) Imputation of missing data raised the influenza VE point estimate to 64% (95%CI: 13, 85).ConclusionsClinicians can continue to promote a positive approach to influenza vaccination, understanding that inactivated influenza vaccines prevent at least 50% of laboratory-confirmed outcomes in hospitals and the community.     

2017－2018年流感流行季儿童接种流感疫苗效果社区队列研究

目的 评价6~72月龄儿童接种流感疫苗效果。方法 采用社区队列研究设计,2017年10-12月,从浙江省永康和义乌两市10家儿童接种门诊招募了1 752名6~72月龄儿童。每名儿童入队列后,完成知情同意和问卷调查,并随访至2018年4月30日,观察记录流感样病例（ILI）发病、门诊就诊和自行服药及流感疫苗接种情况。以ILI、门诊就诊和自行服药的发生次数为因变量,采用广义线性模型（GLM）拟合,估算流感疫苗效果（VE）值。结果 1 752名儿童中,男童925名（52.80%）,月龄M=30.00月,累计随访观察308 166人天,平均每天有5.27‰发生ILI、3.41‰因ILI去医院门诊就诊、1.45‰因ILI自行服药治疗;共有643名儿童接种了流感疫苗,与未接种儿童相比,流感疫苗对ILI、门诊就诊和自行服药的VE值分别为23.5%（95% CI：15.1%~31.1%）、19.3%（95% CI：8.2%~29.1%）和25.8%（95% CI：9.3%~39.3%）。643名接种儿童,接种后与接种前比,流感疫苗针对36~72月龄儿童ILI、门诊就诊和自行服药的VE值分别为31.9%（95% CI：12.7%~46.9%）、32.6%（95% CI：8.6%~50.3%）和44.3%（95% CI：11.9%~64.8%）,而对6~35月龄儿童,VE值均无统计学意义。2016-2018年流感疫苗不同接种暴露VE值评估,两个流感流行季均有接种史的,仅2017-2018年流感流行季有接种史的,流感疫苗VE值,均有统计学意义;仅2016-2017年流感流行季有接种史的,VE值均无统计学意义。结论 流感流行季接种流感疫苗一定程度可预防ILI发病、门诊就诊和自行服药,且对36~72月龄儿童保护效果优于6~35月龄儿童。     

Cross-protection to new drifted influenza A(H3) viruses and prevalence of protective antibodies to seasonal influenza,during 2014 in Portugal

IntroductionImmune profile for influenza viruses is highly changeable over time. Serological studies can assess the prevalence of influenza, estimate the risk of infection, highlight asymptomatic infection rate and can also provide data on vaccine coverage. The aims of the study were to evaluate pre-existing cross-protection against influenza A(H3) drift viruses and to assess influenza immunity in the Portuguese population.Materials and methodsWe developed a cross-sectional study based on a convenience sample of 626 sera collected during June 2014, covering all age groups, both gender and all administrative health regions of Portugal. Sera antibody titers for seasonal and new A(H3) drift influenza virus were evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition assay (HI). Seroprevalence to each seasonal influenza vaccine strain virus and to the new A(H3) drift circulating strain was estimated by age group, gender and region and compared with seasonal influenza-like illness (ILI) incidence rates before and after the study period.ResultsOur findings suggest that seroprevalences of influenza A(H3) (39.9%; 95% CI: 36.2–43.8) and A(H1)pdm09 (29.7%; 95% CI: 26.3–33.4) antibodies were higher than for influenza B, in line with high ILI incidence rates for A(H3) followed by A(H1)pdm09, during 2013/2014 season. Low pre-existing cross-protection against new A(H3) drift viruses were observed in A(H3) seropositive individuals (46%). Both against influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) seroprotection was highest in younger than 14-years old. Protective antibodies against influenza B were highest in those older than 65 years old, especially for B/Yamagata lineage, 33.3% (95% CI: 25.7–41.9). Women showed a high seroprevalence to influenza, although without statistical significance, when compared to men. A significant decreasing trend in seroprotection from north to south regions of Portugal mainland was observed.ConclusionsOur results emphasize that low seroprotection increases the risk of influenza infection in the following winter season. Seroepidemiological studies can inform policy makers on the need for vaccination and additional preventive measures.     

The effectiveness of influenza vaccination among nursery school children in China during the 2016/17 influenza season

BackgroundThe effectiveness of influenza vaccine among nursery school children has not been systematically studied. We conducted a cohort study of children from 13 nursery schools in Suzhou, China, to estimate the effectiveness of influenza vaccine against laboratory-confirmed influenza during 2016–17.MethodsChildren aged 36–72 months were chosen from 13 nursery schools from 3 District in Suzhou. The surveillance started 2 weeks after vaccination during October 2016–February 2017. Class teachers reported the names of students with ILI (influenza-like illness) to study clinicians on each school day. Further, local physicians collected the student’s nasopharyngeal swab or throat swab, either at a study clinic or at the child’s home. The swabs were sent to the National Influenza Network Laboratory in Suzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention for influenza testing by RT-PCR.ResultA total of 4614 children were enrolled, of which 15 children (vaccinated: 2; unvaccinated: 13) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining 4599 children, 558 swabs were collected. Among these swabs, 70 samples tested positive for influenza virus; 17 in the vaccinated group (B Victoria: 2; H3N2: 15) and 53 in the unvaccinated group (B Victoria: 14; A(H1N1)pdm09: 1; H3N2: 38). The overall influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) during the influenza season of 2016–2017 was 20.6%. The incidence of developing ILI symptoms and healthcare seeking behavior through clinical visits was significantly lower in vaccinated children than in the unvaccinated group.ConclusionInfluenza vaccine protection in vaccinated and unvaccinated children showed no statistical difference and the VE percentage varied for different virus subtypes. However, the incidence rate of developing ILI and healthcare seeking behavior was significant lower in the vaccinated group than in the unvaccinated children. Larger studies are required to estimate the VE according to the influenza type, subtype, and lineage during influenza seasons in China in the future.     

2016 - 2019年包头市甲型H1N1流感病毒基因分析

目的 了解包头市流感病毒的变异情况,评估流行株在致病性、毒性、耐药性方面的改变,以研究结果为依据,为流感防控、指导抗流感药物的选用及筛选新的疫苗代表株提供依据。方法 按分离比例随机抽取2016 - 2019年甲型H1N1疫苗株进行基因测序分析。结果 包头市2016 - 2019的甲型H1N1分离株主要属于6B.1A分支,与疫苗株A/Brisbane/02/2018同源性较高。各年度病毒株与疫苗株A/Brisbane/02/2018的组间遗传距离分别为0.014,0.016,0.014和0.012。分离株抗原位点集中在 Sa 区的163 - 164位点发生变异。分离株2018 - 1139 - HA.seq发生了H275Y位点变异。结论 包头市2016 - 2018年度内甲型H1N1流感病毒分离株与A/Brisbane/02/2018亚型流感病毒同源性较高。相对A/Brisbane/02/2018疫苗株而言,本次分析的病毒基因并未发生抗原漂移现象,可以初步判定目前推荐的疫苗株对当前流行的甲型H1N1流感具有较好的保护效果。     

The 2015–2016 influenza epidemic in Beijing,China: Unlike elsewhere,circulation of influenza A(H3N2) with moderate vaccine effectiveness

BackgroundWhile the 2015–2016 influenza season in the northern hemisphere was dominated by A(H1N1)pdm09 and B/Victoria viruses, in Beijing, China, there was also significant circulation of influenza A(H3N2) virus. In this report we estimate vaccine effectiveness (VE) against influenza A(H3N2) and other circulating viruses, and describe further characteristics of the 2015–2016 influenza season in Beijing.MethodsWe estimated VE of the 2015–2016 trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV) against laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection using the test-negative study design. The effect of prior vaccination on current VE was also examined.ResultsOf 11,000 eligible patients included in the study, 2969 (27.0%) were influenza positive. Vaccination coverage was 4.2% in both cases and controls. Adjusted VE against all influenza was 8% (95% CI: −16% to 27%): 18% (95% CI: −38% to 52%) for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, 54% (95% CI: 16% to 74%) for influenza A(H3N2), and −8% (95% CI: −40% to 18%) for influenza B/Victoria. The overall VE for receipt of 2015–2016 vaccination only, 2014–2015 vaccination only, and vaccinations in both seasons was −15% (95% CI: −63% to 19%), −25% (95% CI: −78% to 13%), and 18% (95% CI: −11% to 40%), respectively.ConclusionsOverall the 2015–2016 TIV was protective against influenza infection in Beijing, with higher VE against the A(H3N2) viruses compared to A(H1N1)pdm09 and B viruses.     

Effectiveness of the current and prior influenza vaccinations in Northern Spain, 2018–2019

BackgroundThe population targeted for influenza vaccination can be repeatedly vaccinated over successive seasons, and vaccines received in previous seasons may retain preventive effect. This study aims to estimate the effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccines received in the current and prior seasons in the 2018–2019 season.MethodsInfluenza-like illness patients attended by sentinel general practitioners or admitted to hospitals in Navarre, Spain, were tested for influenza. Vaccination status in the current and three prior seasons was obtained from the vaccination registry. The test-negative design was used to estimate the vaccine effectiveness.ResultsA total of 381 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 cases, 341 A(H3N2) cases and 1222 controls were analysed. As compared to individuals unvaccinated in the current and three prior seasons, the influenza vaccine effectiveness against A(H1N1)pdm09 was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40%, 70%) for current season vaccination regardless of prior doses and 48% (95%CI: 14%, 68%) for vaccination in prior seasons but not in the current season. These estimates were 12% (95%CI: −23%, 37%) and 27% (95%CI: −22%, 56%), respectively, against influenza A(H3N2). Individuals vaccinated with the two A(H1N1)pdm09 strains in influenza vaccines since 2009, A/Michigan/45/2015 and A/California/07/2009, had higher protection (68%; 95%CI: 53%, 77%) than those vaccinated with A/Michigan/45/2015 only (29%, p = 0.020) or with A/California/07/2009 only (34%, p = 0.005).ConclusionThese results suggest moderate effectiveness of influenza vaccination against A(H1N1)pdm09 and low effectiveness against A(H3N2) influenza in the 2018–2019 season. Vaccination in prior seasons maintained a notable protective effect. Strains included in previous vaccines were as effective as the current vaccine strain, and both added their effects against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.     

陕西省咸阳市2016—2020监测年度流感流行病学特征分析

目的 分析陕西省咸阳市近4个监测年度流感型别分布和流行特征,为防控措施制定提供科学参考。方法 对《中国流感监测信息系统》中咸阳市2016—2020监测年度国家级流感监测哨点医院报告的流感样病例（ILI）和流感监测网络实验室的病原学检测结果进行描述性分析。结果 4个监测年度共报告ILI 26 822例,总流感样病例比例（ILI%）为3.66%,ILI%流行趋势呈明显的冬春季流行高峰;流感监测网络实验室共检测ILI标本6 045例,检出阳性标本835例（阳性率为13.81%）,阳性标本以A(H3N2)最多,共计362例(43.35%);各监测年度的优势流行株在A(H3N2)、A(H1N1)pdm09与B(Yamagata)之间交替出现,其中2016—2017和2019—2020监测年度优势流行株为A(H3N2)亚型,占比分别为78.32%和88.50%,2017—2018监测年度以B(Yamagata)（45.98%）和A(H1N1)pdm09（32.59%）为主,2018—2019监测年度优势流行株为A(H1N1)pdm09（62.69%）;4个监测年度流感流行高峰均以冬春季（10月—次年4月）为主;流感阳性病例在性别、年龄和职业分布上的差异均有统计学意义(均有P＜0.001)。结论 咸阳市流感流行具有明显季节性和特定人群高发,流行期主要分布在冬春季（10月—次年4月）,0～14岁儿童和学生为重点防控对象,且男性占比高于女性。今后的防控工作中应继续加强流感监测,密切关注优势流行株的变化趋势。高发季节,应针对高发人群,采取积极有效的干预措施,加强防控工作。     

Influenza vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed influenza in Greece: A pooled analysis across six seasons, 2013–2014 to 2018–2019

BackgroundMonitoring seasonal influenza Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) is key to inform vaccination strategies and sustain uptake. Pooling data across multiple seasons increases precision and allows for subgroup analyses, providing more conclusive evidence. Our aim was to assess VE against hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed influenza in Greece over six seasons, from 2013 to 2014 to 2018–2019, using routinely collected surveillance data.MethodsSwab samples from hospitalized patients across the country were tested for influenza by RT-PCR. We used the test-negative design, with patients testing positive for influenza serving as cases and those testing negative serving as controls. VE was calculated as one minus the Odds Ratio (OR) for influenza vaccination, estimated by mixed-effects logistic regression and adjusted for age, sex, hospitalization type (being in intensive care or not), time from symptom onset to swabbing, and calendar time. Stratified estimates by age and hospitalization type were obtained, and also subgroup estimates by influenza type/subtype and season. Antigenic and genetic characterization of a subset of circulating influenza strains was performed.ResultsA total of 3,882 test-positive cases and 5,895 test-negative controls were analyzed. Across all seasons, adjusted VE was 45.5% (95% CI: 31.6–56.6) against all influenza, 62.8% against A(H1N1)pdm09 (95% CI: 40.7–76.7), 28.2% against A(H3N2) (95% CI: 12.0–41.3) and 45.5% against influenza B (95% CI: 29.1–58.1). VE was slightly lower for patients aged 60 years and over, and similar between patients hospitalized inside or outside intensive care. Circulating A(H1N1)pdm09 and B strains were antigenically similar to the vaccine strains, whereas A(H3N2) were not.ConclusionOur results confirm the public health benefits from seasonal influenza vaccination, despite the suboptimal effectiveness against A(H3N2) strains. Continued monitoring of VE is essential, and routinely collected surveillance data can be valuable in this regard.     

Effectiveness of subunit influenza vaccination in the 2014–2015 season and residual effect of split vaccination in previous seasons

BackgroundIn Navarra, Spain, subunit vaccine was first used in the 2014–2015 season, whereas trivalent split-virion influenza vaccines had been used in previous seasons. We estimate the effectiveness of the subunit vaccine in the current season and split vaccine in the two previous seasons against laboratory-confirmed influenza in the 2014–2015 season.MethodsPatients with influenza-like illness hospitalized or attended by sentinel general practitioners were swabbed for influenza testing. The previous and current vaccine status of laboratory-confirmed cases was compared to test-negative controls.ResultsAmong 1213 patients tested, 619 (51%) were confirmed for influenza virus: 52% influenza A(H3N2), 46% influenza B, and 2% A(H1N1)pdm09. The overall effectiveness for subunit vaccination in the current season was 19% (95% confidence interval [CI]: −13 to 42), 2% (95%CI: −47 to 35) against influenza A(H3N2) and 32% (95%CI: −4 to 56) against influenza B. The effectiveness against any influenza was 67% (95%CI: 17–87) for 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 vaccination only, 42% (95%CI: −31 to 74) for 2014–2015 vaccination only, and 38% (95%CI: 8–58) for vaccination in the 2012–2013, 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 seasons. The same estimates against influenza A(H3N2) were 47% (95%CI: −60 to 82), −54% (95%CI: −274 to 37) and 28% (95%CI: −17 to 56), and against influenza B were 82% (95%CI: 19–96), 93% (95%CI: 45–99) and 43% (95%CI: 5–66), respectively.ConclusionThese results suggest a considerable residual protection of split vaccination in previous seasons, low overall effectiveness of current season subunit vaccination, and possible interference between current subunit and previous split vaccines.     

Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of influenza B virus in Lebanon during 2016–2018

BackgroundInfluenza B viruses are a major cause of serious acute respiratory infections in humans.MethodsNasopharyngeal swabs were collected from subjects with influenza-like illness during October 2016–June 2018 and screened for influenza A and B. The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the Lebanese influenza B specimens were sequenced and phylogenetically compared with the vaccine strains and specimens from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Europe.ResultsInfluenza A and B viruses co-circulated between October and May and peaked between January and March. During the 2016–2017 season, A/H3N2 (33.4%) and B/Yamagata (29.7%) were the predominantly circulating viruses followed by B/Victoria and A/H1N1pdm09 viruses. During the 2017–2018 season, A/H3N2 (31.5%) and A/H1Npdm09 (29.3%) were most prevalent with co-circulation of B/Yamagata and to a lesser extent B/Victoria viruses. The B/Yamagata specimens belonged to clade-3 while the B/Victoria belonged to clade-1A. None of the analyzed specimens had a mutation known to confer resistance to NA inhibitors (NAIs).ConclusionMultiple subtypes of influenza co-circulate each year in Lebanon with a peak between January and March. The trivalent vaccine included a B/Victoria strain which mismatched the B/Yamagata lineage that predominated during the study period, highlighting the importance of quadrivalent vaccines.     

Trends in effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine in children by age groups in seven seasons immediately before the COVID-19 era

BackgroundWe have reported the vaccine effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine in children aged 6 months to 15 years between the 2013/14 and 2018/19 seasons. Younger (6–11 months) and older (6–15 years old) children tended to have lower vaccine effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the recent vaccine can be recommended to all age groups.MethodsThe overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness was assessed from the 2013/14 until the 2020/21 season using a test-negative case-control design based on rapid influenza diagnostic test results. Vaccine effectiveness was calculated by influenza type and by age group (6–11 months, 1–2, 3–5, 6–12, and 13–15 years old) with adjustments including influenza seasons.ResultsA total of 29,400 children (9347, 4435, and 15,618 for influenza A and B, and test-negatives, respectively) were enrolled. The overall vaccine effectiveness against influenza A, A(H1N1)pdm09, and B was significant (44% [95% confidence interval (CI), 41–47], 63% [95 %CI, 51–72], and 37% [95 %CI, 32–42], respectively). The vaccine was significantly effective against influenza A and B, except among children 6 to 11 months against influenza B. The age group with the highest vaccine effectiveness was 1 to 2 years old with both influenza A and B (60% [95 %CI, 55–65] and 52% [95 %CI, 41–61], respectively). Analysis for the 2020/21 season was not performed because no cases were reported.ConclusionsThis is the first report showing influenza vaccine effectiveness by age group in children for several seasons, including immediately before the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) era. The fact that significant vaccine effectiveness was observed in nearly every age group and every season shows that the recent vaccine can still be recommended to children for the upcoming influenza seasons, during and after the COVID-19 era.