Swine Flu Shot vs. Long-Term Risk Study for Kids

Ten Year Flu Vaccine Study Shows Increased Risk for Hospitalization

Oct 24, 2009

A Mayo Clinic study showed that the majority of kids hospitalized for seasonal flu were given the flu shot. Long term studies have not been conducted on swine flu shots.

The American Thoracic Society reported results of a study to evaluate the history of children who required hospitalization due to seasonal influenza between the years of 1996 and 2006 at the Mayo Clinic. The purpose of the study was to determine if the seasonal flu vaccine was helpful for pediatric patients with asthma. The results, however, showed a trend for all pediatric patients.

Seasonal Flu Study Subjects

The subjects of the seasonal flu study were children, from six months of age to 18 years old. The children were brought to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation. The influenza virus infection was confirmed in each case by lab testing. During the 10 year span over which this study was conducted, there were 236 pediatric patients that had a confirmed diagnosis of influenza. Among these patients, information was recorded for this study, including:

Flu Shot and Hospitalization Risk

The results of this study showed that children whose flu was severe enough to require hospitalization were three times more likely to have been given a seasonal flu shot. Children with asthma were at even higher risk for complications.

Seasonal Flu Shot Effectiveness

The hospitalization risk associated with the seasonal flu shot conflicts with information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC states that, "The seasonal flu vaccine can prevent 66% or more influenza infections in young children, with even higher estimates for older children, when the vaccine strains are well-matched to the flu viruses causing illness."

Overall Seasonal Flu Shot Risks

While children who are given the flu shot may be 66% less likely to contract the seasonal flu, they are significantly more likely to experience a severe case if they are infected. For this reason, parents of children who have had the seasonal flu shot should still take precautions to prevent infection, including encouraging hand-washing, and avoiding large groups of people as much as possible.

Swine Flu Vaccine Studies in Children

The Novel A (H1N1) influenza virus vaccine has undergone preliminary trials in both children and adults. Currently, the only side effects noted have been local and mild, including redness and soreness at the injection site. No studies have yet been conducted to determine whether a swine flu vaccination increases the severity of swine flu infection if contracted by children.

Swine flu virus symptoms mimic simple colds, but are more dangerous. Prevent serious illness by avoiding contagious infection from those with H1N1 swine flu symptoms

Pregnant women getting the H1N1 vaccine weigh benefits and risks of the swine flu shot. Accepting or avoiding the swine flu vaccine will affect both mother and baby.

Infants and toddlers are vulnerable to swine flu infection, but may not be eligible for H1N1 vaccination. The CDC advises of swine flu shot safety and risks for babies.

The copyright of the article Swine Flu Shot vs. Long-Term Risk Study for Kids in Public Healthcare Issues is owned by Victoria Nicks. Permission to republish Swine Flu Shot vs. Long-Term Risk Study for Kids in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.