Source: Influenza: open vaccination of all children aged 2 to 17 years / HAS, February 9. 2023; Acute respiratory infections (influenza, bronchiolitis, COVID-19). 2023-2024 Season Review Newsletter April 17, 2024; “Seasonal influenza and your child’s vaccination,” MPEDIA survey conducted on a sample of 611 parents, March 2024; “Healthcare Workers and the Influenza Vaccine,” AFPA survey of 444 health care providers (378 pediatricians and 62 general practitioners), April 2024.
Influenza vaccination is recommended annually, especially for people at risk, such as people over 65, obese people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and caregivers. Recently, the Higher Health Authority (HAS) also recommended influenza vaccination, without making it mandatory, for all children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years, even without underlying diseases (comorbidities). Studies show that vaccines are well tolerated and effective in preventing influenza infection in children aged 2 to 17 years, 78% for live attenuated vaccines and 64% for inactivated vaccines. These vaccines also have the ability to reduce the severity of infection once a person becomes infected.
20% of parents know about the HAS recommendation
Experts from the French Association of Ambulatory Pediatrics (AFPA) warn: winter season 2023-2024. was no exception, with high rates of influenza affecting all age groups, an increase in medical consultations, and high levels of school and professional absenteeism. . According to the French Public Health report, the flu epidemic lasted from late December to late February, for a total of 10 weeks. There were 1.5 million consultations for influenza-like illness (Sentinelles Network) and the severity of the epidemic was classified as moderate, with 14,000 hospital admissions following emergency department visits. According to a survey conducted by mpedia, AFPA’s public parenting support site, only 20% of parents surveyed are aware of this recommendation, while 80% of health care providers are aware. Among those informed, 20% were informed by the media and almost 40% by medical professionals. About 75% of parents do not think it is important to vaccinate their children against flu or are unsure. Additionally, 85% of parents had never heard of the nasal flu vaccine for children ages 2 to 17, and those who did know about it mostly learned about it through the media. Ultimately, data collected by health insurance shows insufficient childhood vaccination coverage.
Flu, 5 vaccines approved for children
Parents are largely unaware of the dangers of influenza to their children. However, according to an Mpedia survey, more than half of the parents surveyed consider the flu to be a minor illness in children. Moreover, although 70% of doctors support influenza vaccination, most parents have not received information on this issue. In fact, vaccination is rarely offered to children who do not have risk factors. Among children at risk suffering from chronic diseases, only 50% were vaccinated this year. Both parents and health care providers agree that administering the vaccine through the nose can make vaccination easier. If five vaccines are approved for marketing to children, HAS issues a preferred recommendation for the intranasal vaccine. One might think that this simpler method of application (spraying into the nose) would be better accepted by children and their parents.
Children, epidemic outbreaks
The public health benefits of good vaccination coverage among children aged 2 to 17 years are numerous. First of all, an individual advantage aimed at protecting against the consequences of the disease. Indeed, children under 15 years of age, especially those aged 2 to 5 years, account for a significant proportion of cases of influenza syndrome seen in community clinics (9% for children under 2 years of age, 19% for children 2 to 5 years of age). , 15% for children 6–14 years old), but also in emergency situations (14% for children under 2 years old, 23% for children 2–5 years old, 15% for children 6–14 years old). This is despite the fact that these age groups make up only 2%, 5% and 11% of the population respectively! In addition, there is a so-called “indirect” individual benefit: this vaccination may reduce the burden of influenza in pediatric wards. Finally, a collective benefit remains too little known: children are the true reservoir of influenza viruses. By vaccinating them, we can hope to limit the spread of the disease in the general population and thereby protect older people and those at risk of severe disease.
Mark : The flu vaccine for children ages 2 to 17 years is covered by health insurance.
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