Leading health experts are urging widespread flu vaccination for children, emphasizing its crucial role in safeguarding not only the young but also the broader population, notably vulnerable adults. During the X update day in flu, an event organized by CSL Seqirus, professionals highlighted that children are primary transmitters of the influenza virus, and vaccinating them is a safe and effective strategy to curb its spread. The discussions underscored the significant impact of childhood vaccination on public health, advocating for its broader implementation.

The call for universal flu vaccination in children comes as health officials grapple with the persistent challenge of influenza and its impact on vulnerable populations.Children, due to their close proximity in schools and daycare settings, are often the first to contract and spread the virus, making them a key target for preventative measures.

Jesús Ruiz Contreras, a member of the Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (CAV-AEP), emphasized the importance of a pivotal suggestion made in 2022. In 2022,the vaccine presentation approved a document to recommend the vaccination in children between 6 and 59 months. It was a milestone, as children are fundamentally the transmitters of the flu, Ruiz Contreras stated, highlighting the critical role of young children in spreading the virus.

The focus on childhood vaccination stems from the understanding that children, especially those under five, experience a significant burden of flu-related illness. Matilde Zornoza Moreno, from the Health Prevention and Protection Service of the General Directorate of Public Health and Addictions of the Region of Murcia, presented compelling data supporting this. The first group with the greatest flu load and in wich serious cases are given are the elderly and the second, children under 1 year, Zornoza Moreno noted, underscoring the vulnerability of young children. She further added, On average, 4,000 children enter the hospital every season and, every year, 1,000 children under 5 years per flu die. These statistics highlight the severe consequences of influenza in young children, emphasizing the urgent need for preventive measures.

The severity of influenza in young children is further compounded by their developing immune systems. José Gómez Rial, Head of the immunology Service of the Clinical Hospital of santiago (Santiago de Compostela), explained the biological reasons behind children’s heightened susceptibility to the flu. The child’s immune system tries to control the virus and is not able, so a response is produced, Gómez Rial stated.He elaborated, They have a very high viral load as they are not able to control viral replication. They generate an inflammatory response instead of generating a virus response. This unique immune response in children contributes to the severity of flu infections in this age group.

experts also stressed the importance of vaccination during pregnancy to protect both the mother and the infant. Zornoza Moreno stated, vaccinating the mother during pregnancy, protects her, protects the fetus and protects the baby in the first 6 months of life, as we have nothing to protect him during that time. Authorized vaccines are from 6 months. However, vaccination rates among pregnant women remain suboptimal. Ruiz Contreras pointed out that vaccination rates are around 50%, ‘far from being optimal’, emphasizing the need to increase coverage in this population group. Zornoza Moreno further emphasized the critical role of healthcare professionals in promoting vaccination, stating, Families do not vaccinate if your professional is not recommended.

Changes in Epidemiology Due to Vaccination

The introduction of widespread childhood vaccination has led to significant changes in the epidemiology of various diseases. Zornoza Moreno noted that Not only does the flu load decrease, but also that of other diseases like invasive pneumococcal disease. She also added that invasive meningococcal disease is associated with the suffering of flu infection in children. Furthermore, children can experience neurological complications consequently of flu infections, ranging from febrile seizures, myositis, seizures with fever or encephalitis or Guillain-Barré. According to a study in Korea, 85% of flu neurological complications occurred in children under 6 years, highlighting the significant impact of influenza on children’s neurological health.

vaccination also plays a crucial role in reducing antibiotic consumption. According to an Ontario study, one in five antibiotics could be avoided, by vaccinating against the flu. Ruiz Contreras emphasized the importance of this reduction,stating,In the future,more people will die for bacterial strains than for cancer, highlighting the growing threat of antibiotic resistance.

Ruiz Contreras further indicated that the introduction of the vaccine introduces drastic changes in the epidemiology of the disease. Gómez Rial introduced three key concepts to understand the body’s response to the flu virus: priming, printing, and ‘original sin’ (antigen interference).

Gómez Rial explained, The priming is the first encounter with the virus, the first activation of our immune cells in response to a strain of the virus. The printing is how that encounter affects immune responses after new viral strains,how it marks that first time. And the Original Antigenic Sin is the clinical outcome of printing. when the immune system shows a clear bias towards the response generated by the first exhibition, even if it is indeed not the moast effective against a later variant.

In the context of the constantly evolving flu virus, Gómez Rial emphasized that The first time is relevant because it has some consequences. He elaborated, The system is pledged to that first time and in the following exhibitions, the immune response is less effective, although it also generates antibodies, because it is anchored in the first time. He further explained, The system has two options: an answer by ship (more energy, slower) or route of memory (less energy, faster). Thus, choose the easy and fast route as it is indeed indeed less expensive energy.

The initial encounter with the flu virus significantly shapes future immune responses. Gómez Rial highlighted the differences between experiencing a wild infection and receiving a vaccination. Wild infection produces a more powerful and more heterotypic immune response, it involves risk of serious illness and complications, while with the vaccine it is indeed a less diversified immune response, more specific to the antigens of the vaccine and without risk of complications. Therefore, the latter can represent an possibility through the exposure of strains included in the vaccine, Gómez Rial stated. He also noted that the ideal scenario would be the growth of a universal flu vaccine. In this context, he indicated that the cell culture vaccine increases effectiveness in front of egg vaccines.

Is it time to rethink our approach to influenza prevention, starting with universal childhood vaccination? The data suggests it might be the only way to truly curb the spread of this persistent threat.

Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma,leading immunologist and infectious disease expert,welcome to World Today News. The recent call for universal flu vaccination in children has sparked considerable debate. Can you shed some light on why this is such a critical issue for global public health?

Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. The push for universal childhood flu vaccination is grounded in robust epidemiological evidence. Children, notably those under five, are meaningful vectors for influenza transmission. Their immature immune systems often result in higher viral loads,meaning they shed the virus for longer periods and more profusely than adults.This makes them key drivers of influenza outbreaks, impacting not only their own health but also the health of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Vaccinating children offers a potent layer of indirect protection—herd immunity—for the entire community.

Interviewer: Many people are concerned about the safety of vaccines, especially for young children. Could you address these concerns and highlight the safety profile of influenza vaccines?

Dr.Sharma: The safety of influenza vaccines is rigorously monitored and extensively documented. Adverse events are rare and generally mild, such as soreness at the injection site or low-grade fever. Serious adverse events are extremely uncommon. The benefits of influenza vaccination, substantially reduced risk of infection and severe disease, far outweigh the potential risks. Decades of research provide compelling evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of these vaccines in children.

Interviewer: The article mentions the significant burden of flu-related illness in young children. Can you elaborate on the specific health implications of influenza in this age group?

Dr. Sharma: Influenza in children can range from mild symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat to severe complications including bronchitis, pneumonia, and even encephalitis—inflammation of the brain. These complications can lead to hospitalizations and, sadly, in some cases, death. Children under five are disproportionately affected by severe influenza. We see high rates of hospital admissions and a significant number of deaths annually.This underscores the urgent need for widespread vaccination in this demographic.

Interviewer: The article also discussed the impact of maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Could you explain its importance and how it protects both mother and child?

Dr. Sharma: Maternal influenza vaccination is a crucial strategy. the antibodies produced by the mother are passed to the fetus, conferring a degree of protection against influenza in utero and during the first few months of life—a critical period when infants are too young to receive their own vaccinations. This passive immunity significantly decreases the risk of infection and severe outcomes in newborns. This is a powerful illustration of the interconnectedness of maternal and child health.

Interviewer: Beyond the direct impact on children, what are the wider societal benefits of widespread influenza vaccination?

Dr. Sharma: The societal benefits are considerable. Reduced influenza cases lead to fewer school absences, decreased healthcare utilization, and significantly reduced work days lost. Also, vaccination reduces the strain on healthcare systems, allowing resources to be directed to other critical areas. Furthermore, reduced flu infections lead to lower rates of antibiotic use, which is an invaluable weapon in combatting antimicrobial resistance.

Interviewer: The article highlighted the “original antigenic sin” concept. Can you unpack this principle within the context of influenza vaccination?

Dr. sharma: The original antigenic sin, or immunological imprinting, describes how the immune system’s first encounter with a virus influences subsequent responses. The immune system “remembers” its initial exposure and may preferentially respond to that initial strain, even if later encounters present with different strains. Vaccination, although creating a less broadly protective memory response than a wild-type infection, offers protection against targeted strains without the risk of severe illness. Moreover,the progress of universal influenza vaccines is vital to address the limitations of antigenically-matched vaccines.

Interviewer: What are some key steps that can be taken to improve influenza vaccination rates,particularly among children and pregnant women?

Dr. Sharma: Improved vaccination rates require a multifaceted approach:

• Targeted public health campaigns: educating the public about the safety and benefits of influenza vaccination.
• Policy changes: Instituting policies to ensure access for all, maybe subsidizing costs.
• Healthcare provider education:
  
  

  universal Flu Vaccination for Children: Protecting Our Future, One Shot at a Time

  Four thousand children are hospitalized each flu season, and one thousand die before their fifth birthday. Is it time for a universal childhood flu vaccination program?

  Interviewer: Dr. Anya Sharma, leading immunologist and infectious disease expert, welcome to World today News.The recent call for universal flu vaccination in children has sparked considerable debate.Can you shed some light on why this is such a critical issue for global public health?

  Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. The push for universal childhood flu vaccination is fundamentally rooted in compelling epidemiological evidence. Children, especially those under five, are significant vectors for influenza transmission. Their developing immune systems often lead to higher viral loads, meaning they shed the influenza virus for extended periods and at higher concentrations compared to adults. This makes them primary drivers of influenza outbreaks, impacting not only their own well-being but also the health of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Vaccinating children provides a powerful layer of indirect protection—herd immunity—for the entire community. This is crucial in minimizing influenza’s impact on everyone, including the most at risk.

  Interviewer: Many people are concerned about the safety of vaccines, especially for young children. Could you address these concerns and highlight the safety profile of influenza vaccines?

  Dr. Sharma: The safety and efficacy of influenza vaccines are rigorously monitored and extensively documented across decades of research.Adverse events are rare and typically mild, such as localized soreness or a low-grade fever. Serious adverse reactions are exceptionally uncommon. The benefits of influenza vaccination – significantly reduced risk of infection and severe disease – far outweigh any potential risks for children. The overwhelming scientific consensus supports the safety and effectiveness of these life-saving vaccines.

  Interviewer: The article mentions the significant burden of flu-related illness in young children. Can you elaborate on the specific health implications of influenza in this age group?

  Dr. Sharma: Influenza in young children encompasses a wide spectrum of severity. While many experience mild symptoms like fever,cough,and sore throat,severe complications,including bronchitis,pneumonia,and even encephalitis (brain inflammation),are significant concerns. These can necessitate hospitalizations and, tragically, may result in death. Children under five are disproportionately vulnerable to severe influenza,making widespread vaccination a critical public health imperative to reduce these devastating consequences.

  Interviewer: The article also discussed the impact of maternal vaccination during pregnancy. Could you explain its importance and how it protects both mother and child?

  Dr. Sharma: Maternal influenza vaccination is a powerful preventive strategy with benefits extending to both mother and child. Antibodies produced by the mother are transferred to the fetus, providing a degree of protection in utero and during the infant’s first few months of life—a crucial period before infants receive their own vaccinations.This passive immunity significantly reduces the risk of infection and severe outcomes in newborns. It’s a prime example of the interconnectedness of maternal and child health and demonstrates the remarkable potential of preventive medicine.

  Interviewer: Beyond the direct impact on children, what are the wider societal benefits of widespread influenza vaccination?

  Dr. sharma: The societal gains are significant. Reduced influenza cases translate to fewer school absences, decreased healthcare utilization and associated costs, and minimized lost workdays, boosting overall productivity. This also lessens the burden on healthcare systems, freeing up resources for other crucial services. Lower flu rates also decrease antibiotic use, aiding the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. The overall economic and social benefits of universal flu vaccination are considerable and far-reaching.

  Interviewer: The article highlighted the “original antigenic sin” concept. Can you unpack this principle within the context of influenza vaccination?

  Dr. Sharma: “Original antigenic sin,” or immunological imprinting, describes the immune system’s tendency to prioritize the response from its first encounter with a virus, even if later encounters present with antigenically different strains. While a wild-type infection produces a more broadly protective response, it carries a risk of serious illness. Vaccination, while creating a less broadly protective memory response, offers targeted protection against specific strains included in the vaccine without the risks of severe complications. Progress towards universal influenza vaccines is essential to overcome the limitations posed by antigenically-matched vaccines.

  Interviewer: What are some key steps that can be taken to improve influenza vaccination rates, particularly among children and pregnant women?

  Dr. Sharma: increasing vaccination rates necessitates a thorough approach:

  Targeted Public Health Campaigns: Educate the public about the safety and benefits of influenza vaccination through clear, accessible materials and community engagement.

  Policy Changes: implement policies that ensure equitable access to vaccines, potentially through subsidies or direct provision of vaccines in underserved communities.

  Healthcare Provider Education: Train healthcare professionals to effectively communicate the importance of flu vaccination, address patient concerns, and advocate proactively for increased vaccination rates.

  Community-Based Vaccination Programs: Establish convenient and accessible vaccination locations, collaborating with schools, workplaces, and community organizations to reach target populations.

  Interviewer: Thank you,Dr. sharma, for these insightful perspectives on the critical need for universal flu vaccination in children. This is undoubtedly a path toward a healthier future for all.

  Dr. Sharma: My pleasure. We must continue to work towards reducing the significant burden of influenza, especially in vulnerable populations. Universal childhood vaccination is a pivotal step towards this crucial objective. I encourage readers to share their thoughts and perspectives on this significant conversation.

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