Effects of influenza vaccine and sun exposure time against laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations among young children during the 2012–13 to 2015–16 influenza seasons
Journal
Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection
Journal Volume
52
Journal Issue
6
Pages
880-887
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Wang C.-Y.
Chang Y.-H.
Chi H.
Chiu N.-C.
Huang Y.-C.
Lin H.-C.
Liu C.-C.
Huang Y.-C.
Ho Y.-H.
Tu Y.-H.
Wang J.-Y.
Huang D.T.-N.
Taiwan Pediatric Infectious Disease Alliance
Abstract
Background: Influenza is a major cause of acute respiratory infection burden worldwide, leading to many hospitalizations. An annual influenza vaccine is believed to be the best way to prevent influenza-related illnesses. We focused on the efficacies of other possible preventive measures such as increasing sun exposure time and dietary supplements to prevent these illnesses. Methods: We conducted a matched-pair case–control study along with the Taiwan Pediatric Infectious Disease Alliance. We included influenza-related hospitalized patients with age ranging from 6 months to 5 years during the 2012–2013, 2013–2014, 2014–2015, and 2015–2016 influenza seasons. The controls were comparable to cases in age, sex, and residential area and had no influenza-related hospitalization records in the same season. We extracted data from vaccination histories and got the patients’ guardians to complete questionnaires. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression. Results: We enrolled 1514 children (421 influenza-infected cases and 1093 controls) in the study. We found seasonal influenza vaccination to be an independent protective factor against hospitalizations owing to influenza [p < 0.01; odds ratio (OR), 0.427; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.306–0.594]. Children with mean sun exposure time of >7 h/week had a significantly lower risk of influenza-related hospitalizations than those with the mean sun exposure time of ?7 h/week (p < 0.05; OR, 0.667; 95% CI, 0.491–0.906). Conclusions: Seasonal influenza vaccination effectively prevents influenza-related hospitalizations in children aged ?5 years. Besides, >7 h of sun exposure/week may also be associated with lower risk of influenza-related hospitalizations in children. ? 2019
SDGs
Other Subjects
influenza vaccine; probiotic agent; influenza vaccine; Article; breast feeding; case control study; child; child hospitalization; controlled study; dietary supplement; drug effect; educational status; female; hospital based case control study; hospital patient; human; infection risk; influenza A; influenza B; influenza vaccination; laboratory; major clinical study; male; mother; newborn care; preschool child; residential area; seasonal influenza; smoking; sun exposure; Taiwan; Taiwanese; time; treatment duration; hospitalization; immunology; infant; influenza; odds ratio; protection; season; statistical model; sunlight; vaccination; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Influenza Vaccines; Influenza, Human; Logistic Models; Male; Odds Ratio; Protective Factors; Seasons; Sunlight; Taiwan; Vaccination
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article