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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
5010.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - Board 5

Abstract #113413

Population-based surveillance for pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations in Connecticut during the 2003-2004 influenza season: A tool to evaluate vaccine recommendations and assess their impact

Paula Clogher, MPH1, James Meek, MPH1, Sharon Hurd, MPH1, Robert Heimer, PhD2, and James Hadler, MD, MPH3. (1) Connecticut Emerging Infections Program, Yale University School of Epidemiology and Public Health, 1 Church Street, 7th floor, New Haven, CT 06510, 203-764-4360, paula.clogher@yale.edu, (2) Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University, 60 College St., P.O Box 208034, New Haven, CT 06511, (3) Infectious Disease Division, Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#11FDS, Hartford, CT 006134-0308

Background: Beginning with the 2002-03 influenza season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded influenza vaccination guidelines to encourage vaccination of healthy 6-23 month olds. At the time, no system was in place to monitor influenza severity in children nor to assess these expanded recommendations. Thus, population-based active surveillance for pediatric influenza-related hospitalizations was implemented in Connecticut and eight other Emerging Infections Program Network states. Objective: To provide baseline incidence data and to assess implementation of the 2002-2003 ACIP influenza vaccine recommendations by determining age-specific rates, clinical and epidemiologic characteristics and vaccination status of children with severe influenza infections. Methods: Prospective and retrospective case finding was conducted at two hospitals in New Haven, Connecticut between October 1, 2003 and March 31, 2004 to identify all pediatric hospital admissions with laboratory-confirmed influenza infections among residents of an 11-town catchment area around New Haven. Results: Surveillance identified 98 cases of pediatric hospitalization with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Overall incidence was 108 per 100,000 population and 598 per 100,000 among children < 2 years old. Cases < 2 years old had fewer underlying medical conditions than those 2-17 years old (27% vs. 64%). Overall, pre-vaccination for the 2003-2004 flu season was low (12%) with only 5 (15%) of the 6-23 month olds vaccinated. Conclusions: Connecticut's high incidence of laboratory-confirmed influenza-related hospitalizations among otherwise healthy infants and toddlers, when combined with multi-site surveillance data, supports the ACIP recommendation that healthy 6-23 month olds receive influenza vaccine and provides baseline data to evaluate its future impact.

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