Effectiveness of influenza vaccination of children with recurrent respiratory tract infections in reducing respiratory-related morbidity within the households

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in reducing respiratory-related morbidity among children with recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) and their household contacts, 127 children aged 6 months–9 years (78 males; median age, 3.7 years) with a history of RRTIs (≥6 episodes per year if aged ≥3 years; ≥8 episodes per year if aged <3 years) were randomized to receive the intranasal virosomal influenza vaccine ( n=64 with 176 household contacts) or a control placebo ( n=63 with 173 household contacts). During influenza season, the vaccinated children had fewer respiratory infections, febrile respiratory illnesses, prescribed antibiotics and antipyretics, and missed school days than the controls, and similar benefits and a reduction in the loss of parental work were observed among their household contacts. This study shows that the benefits of influenza vaccination extend to children with RRTIs and their family members and encourages to recommend its use in such children.