In a recent study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found compelling evidence that supports the effectiveness of influenza vaccination during pregnancy in protecting infants against influenza infection. The study spanned from 2010 to 2019 and examined data from over 23,000 infants under six months old, finding the crucial role maternal vaccination plays in safeguarding the vulnerable age group for whom influenza vaccines are not yet available.
The findings indicate a noteworthy 64% vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed infant influenza infection. This percentage held consistent across various factors such as the trimester of vaccination (1st/2nd: 66%, 3rd: 63%), infant age at testing (0-<2 months: 63%, 2-<6 months: 64%), and gestational age at birth (≥37 weeks: 64%, <37 weeks: 61%). Also, the study revealed an even higher VE of 67% against influenza-related hospitalization among infants.
While previous research in low- and middle-income settings had suggested the efficacy of influenza vaccination during pregnancy, this study provides crucial insights into a high-income setting with different population characteristics and influenza seasonality.
The study emphasized the significance of the results as it adds a robust layer of evidence to the global understanding of how maternal vaccination can serve as a shield for our youngest population against influenza.
This study not only advances our understanding of influenza prevention but also underscores the importance of vaccination strategies tailored to different demographic and geographic contexts. Despite the positive outcomes, the study acknowledge the need for continued research and further such studies contribute significantly to refining public health recommendations and protecting the most vulnerable.
Source:
Fell, D. B., Russell, M., Fung, S. G., Swayze, S., Chung, H., Buchan, S. A., Roda, W., Smolarchuk, C., Wilson, K., Crowcroft, N., Schwartz, K. L., Gubbay, J. B., McGeer, A., Smieja, M., Richardson, D. C., Katz, K., Zahariadis, G., Campigotto, A., Mubareka, S., … Kwong, J. C. (2023). Effectiveness of maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy against laboratory-confirmed seasonal influenza among infants under 6 months of age in Ontario, Canada. In The Journal of Infectious Diseases. Oxford University Press (OUP). https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiad539