CLINICAL UPDATE Influenza Vaccination in Children: Understanding Current Options and Recommendations
This supplement to Pediatric News was supported by an educational grant from MedImmune Inc., sponsored by The Chatham Institute, and based on faculty interviews.
Pedro A. Piedra, MD
Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas Consulting Fee: MedImmune Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Honoraria: MedImmune Inc.
Stan Block, MD, FAAP
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Lexington, Kentucky Consulting Fees: MedImmune, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline
Research Grants: MedImmune, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline
Overview
This influenza newsletter describes the body's immunologic response to the influenza viruses. It discusses how the viruses have adapted to avoid this immune response and ensure their continuation. Current vaccination recommendations are designed to combat influenza infections and prevent complications from the flu, as well as stop or limit epidemics. The two types of vaccine and differences in their efficacies in children and adults are presented. Adverse events caused by vaccination are described.
Learning Objectives
• Explain why influenza vaccines must be reformulated each year.
• Differentiate between the effects of the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and the liver, attenuated vaccine on the immune system, and explain how these effects may relate to the reported differences in vaccine efficacy in children and adults.
• Interpret the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics influenza vaccination recommendations for children in terms of their immune system response.
Intended Audience
This newsletter is intended for pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners.
Accreditation and Designation
The Chatham Institute designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The Chatham Institute is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA), an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. The provider is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN), Provider Number CEP 12433.
This activity is approved for 0.75 nursing contact hours.
Disclaimer
Accreditation refers to educational content only and does not imply endorsement of products by NJSNA, ANCC, CBRN, or The Chatham Institute.
Disclosure
It is the policy of The Chatham Institute to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational programs. All faculty, planners, and managers who affect the content of medical education activities sponsored by The Chatham Institute are required to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interest related to the activity. Faculty, planners, and managers not complying with the disclosure policy will not be permitted to participate in this activity. Program faculty and planners have disclosed the financial relationships with commercial interests cited below. All program content has been peer reviewed for balance and any potential bias. The conflict of interest resolution process aims to ensure that financial relationships with commercial interests and resultant loyalties do not supersede the public interest in the design and delivery of continuing medical education activities for the profession.
