The Impact of the Influenza Vaccination of Children on Protection of the Elderly from Influenza Morbidity and Mortality

Annie Alidina

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Abstract

This state of the science paper discusses the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in children and the potential for secondary protection of the elderly against influenza related mortality. Population-based studies conducted in Japan demonstrate that mortality of the elderly attributed to influenza-related illness decreased by 10,000-12,000 per year during the government's mandatory influenza vaccination program for schoolchildren. The influenza-related mortality increased steadily towards pre-protocol levels after discontinuation of the program. Additional studies conducted in the United States that targeted children receiving influenza vaccination revealed a reduction in influenza related morbidity among the schoolchildren and their contacts, including older adults. These studies suggest that vaccination programs targeting schoolchildren are both effective and beneficial to schoolchildren's and the community's health, especially in regards to protecting elders from influenza related mortality. In contrast, the effectiveness of influenza vaccine in producing protective levels of immunity decreases as age increases beyond 65 years old or in association with immune compromise due to a diseased state. This paper explores the impact of vaccinating children in relation to influenza complications observed in the elderly and offers recommendations for advanced clinical practice and research.

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