From 2010 to 2012, the number of pediatric intensive care unit admissions due to acute severe respiratory illness testing positive for influenza was 75 percent fewer for children who had received the flu vaccine versus children who had not, according to a study in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Researchers analyzed data from 21 PICUs on children between 6 months and 17 years old.
They found children fully vaccinated with the flu vaccine were 74 percent less likely to be admitted to the PICU for influenza than PICU controls, children who tested negative for influenza. Additionally, vaccinated children were 82 percent less likely to be admitted to the PICU than community controls, children without an influenza-related hospital admission.
Researchers noted children were only protected when receiving full vaccination, meaning some children who were recommended two vaccinations but only received one were not protected.
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