Intraseason decline in influenza vaccine effectiveness during the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season: A test-negative design study and phylogenetic assessment

Annette K. Regan, James E. Fielding, Monique B. Chilver, Kylie S. Carville, Cara A. Minney-Smith, Kristina A. Grant, Chloe Thomson, Trish Hahesy, Yi Mo Deng, Nigel Stocks, Sheena G. Sullivan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: We estimated the effectiveness of seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine and the potential influence of timing of immunization on vaccine effectiveness (VE) using data from the 2016 southern hemisphere influenza season. Methods: Data were pooled from three routine syndromic sentinel surveillance systems in general practices in Australia. Each system routinely collected specimens for influenza testing from patients presenting with influenza-like illness. Next generation sequencing was used to characterize viruses. Using a test-negative design, VE was estimated based on the odds of vaccination among influenza-positive cases as compared to influenza-negative controls. Subgroup analyses were used to estimate VE by type, subtype and lineage, as well as age group and time between vaccination and symptom onset. Results: A total of 1085 patients tested for influenza in 2016 were included in the analysis, of whom 447 (41%) tested positive for influenza. The majority of detections were influenza A/H3N2 (74%). One-third (31%) of patients received the 2016 southern hemisphere formulation influenza vaccine. Overall, VE was estimated at 40% (95% CI: 18–56%). VE estimates were highest for patients immunized within two months prior to symptom onset (VE: 60%; 95% CI: 26–78%) and lowest for patients immunized >4 months prior to symptom onset (VE: 19%; 95% CI: −73–62%). Discussion: Overall, the 2016 influenza vaccine showed good protection against laboratory-confirmed infection among general practice patients. Results by duration of vaccination suggest a significant decline in effectiveness during the 2016 influenza season, indicating immunization close to influenza season offered optimal protection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2634-2641
Number of pages8
JournalVaccine
Volume37
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2019

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