Influenza burden averted with a cell-based quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine compared with egg-based quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Cell-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4c) avoid egg-adaptive mutations found in egg-based production, improving vaccine effectiveness (VE). Studies demonstrate improved VE for IIV4c relative to egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4). Research Design and Methods We built on a static compartmental model developed by the CDC to estimate the influenza burden in persons 0–64 years that would be additionally averted by vaccination with IIV4c vs. IIV4. Model inputs were based on published data from 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020 Northern Hemisphere influenza seasons for the US. Results Over 3 influenza seasons, relative to IIV4, IIV4c would avert 31–39% more symptomatic cases, 29–40% more outpatient visits, 29–38% more hospitalizations and ICU admissions, and 34–49% more deaths vs. IIV4. In a deterministic sensitivity analysis, the main drivers were the relative VE of IIV4c vs. IIV4 in the 2017–2018 season and influenza burden estimates for the 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 seasons. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the interquartile range of symptomatic cases was ± 13% of baseline in 2017–2018, ±8% in 2018–2019, and ± 7% in 2019–2020. Conclusions IIV4c prevented significantly more symptomatic cases, outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths than IIV4 in persons aged 0–64 years over 3 influenza seasons.