asthma

Flu Vaccine Guidelines in Pediatric Asthma: Live or Inactivated?

The live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) does not result in a greater number of lower respiratory events (LRE) following vaccination in children with asthma aged 2 to 18 years when compared with the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV).

 

Based on their study’s results, the researchers suggest that guidelines for influenza vaccination in children with asthma be based on effectiveness studies.1

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These results were the conclusion of new research presented at IDWeek 2018. The study, authored by James Nordin, MD, and colleagues, was presented on Friday, October 5.

 

To reach their conclusion, the researchers analyzed data from 2 large medical groups in the upper Midwest from 2007 to 2015. Prior to 2010, both medical groups recommended IIV, but in 2010, one of the groups started to recommend LAIV for children with asthma.

 

In all, 7959 observations from 4824 children with asthma were analyzed, with 1896 in the IIV guideline group and 6061 in the LAIV guideline group.

 

The data showed no increase in LREs using the LAIV guideline.

 

“We did not observe increased visits for wheezing or LREs with a guideline recommending LAIV for use in all asthmatic children and adolescents,” the researchers wrote. “Guidelines for influenza vaccination in asthmatic children should be based on effectiveness studies.”2

 

The study comes as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices again recommends LAIV for use in children in adolescents for the 2018-2019 influenza season.2

  

—Colleen Murphy

 

Reference:

  1. Nordin JD, Vazquez-Benitez G, Olsen A, Kuckler L, Kharbanda E. Safety of guidelines recommending LAIV for routine use in children and adolescents with asthma. Paper presented at: IDWeek 2018; October 3-7, 2018; San Francisco, CA. https://idsa.confex.com/idsa/2018/webprogram/Paper70535.html. Accessed October 16, 2018.
  1. Nordin J, Vazquez-Benitez G, Olsen A, Kuckler L, Kharbanda EO. Safety of guidelines recommending LAIV for routine use in children and adolescents with asthma. Poster presented at: IDWeek 2018; October 3-7, 2018; San Francisco, CA. https://idsa.confex.com/idsa/2018/webprogram/Handout/id7358/POSTER130_985.pdf. Accessed October 16, 2018.