TY - JOUR
T1 - Universal vaccination of children against influenza: are there indirect benefits to the community? A systematic review of the evidence
AU - Jordan, Rachel
AU - Connock, Martin
AU - Albon, Esther
AU - Fry-Smith, Anne
AU - Olowokure, Babatunde
AU - Hawker, Jeremy
AU - Burls, Amanda
PY - 2006/2/20
Y1 - 2006/2/20
N2 - We present a systematic review of the effectiveness of vaccinating healthy children to protect others. Primary studies were identified by searching standard electronic databases, internet sites, trials registers and citation lists to January 2004 and subjected to critical appraisal. Eight randomised controlled trials, three community studies and three economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria. The evidence suggests that vaccinating healthy children against influenza has the potential for reducing the impact of influenza epidemics. However, further evidence is needed as limitations of study design or execution mean that the community benefits are difficult to quantify.
AB - We present a systematic review of the effectiveness of vaccinating healthy children to protect others. Primary studies were identified by searching standard electronic databases, internet sites, trials registers and citation lists to January 2004 and subjected to critical appraisal. Eight randomised controlled trials, three community studies and three economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria. The evidence suggests that vaccinating healthy children against influenza has the potential for reducing the impact of influenza epidemics. However, further evidence is needed as limitations of study design or execution mean that the community benefits are difficult to quantify.
KW - influenza vaccination
KW - children
KW - systematic review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=32044440976&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.09.017
DO - 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.09.017
M3 - Article
C2 - 16298026
VL - 24
SP - 1047
EP - 1062
JO - Vaccine
JF - Vaccine
IS - 8
ER -