New CDC Article Reiterates Importance of Administering Vaccines as Recommended

The Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society has published a paper led by CDC epidemiologist Penina Haber, MPH, titled “Post-licensure Surveillance of Trivalent Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in Children Aged  2-18 Years, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), United States, July 2005- June 2012.” The study, which assessed the safety of trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV3) in children in the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) during 2005-2012, did not find any new or unexpected adverse event patterns. However, it did find that LAIV3 was still being given to persons for whom the vaccine is not recommended (e.g., persons with a history of asthma or reactive airway disease/wheezing), suggesting that ongoing monitoring and education in this area is needed.

During the study period, VAERS received 2,619 U.S. LAIV3 reports in children aged 2–18 years. Fever was the most commonly reported symptom after LAIV3 vaccination. During this time, approximately 50 million doses of LAIV3 were distributed in the United States for use in children and adults. Ongoing assessment of the safety of LAIV continues as more children are vaccinated annually with the recently approved quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4).  

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Source: CDC