Prevention of influenza in mothers and infants

Abstract

Evaluation of: Zaman K, Roy E, Arifeen SE et al. Effectiveness of maternal influenza immunization in mothers and infants. N. Engl. J. Med. 359(15), 1555–1564 (2008).Pregnant women and infants are at an increased risk for the complications of influenza. Severe disease, emergency department visits and hospitalizations occur as frequently in these groups as in the elderly and those with chronic diseases. None of the US FDA-licensed influenza vaccines are approved for use in infants under 6 months of age and, despite long-standing recommendations, pregnant women are rarely immunized against influenza. The paper under evaluation has an important place in scientific understanding and advancement. These data not only help to reassure providers and pregnant women that the current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation for influenza vaccination in pregnancy is well founded, but also provide strong evidence for a neonatal benefit to maternal influenza vaccination.