The effectiveness of national influenza vaccination policies for at-risk populations over 5 seasons in a Scottish general practice

Vaccine. 2008 Jul 4;26(29-30):3772-7. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.04.030. Epub 2008 May 5.

Abstract

Aim: To determine the effectiveness of serial influenza vaccination.

Scope: Studied in a Scottish GP population, the overall seroresponse rate increased with annual influenza vaccinations and after 5 years it increased from 45.1% to 93.3% for influenza virus A (H1) and from 48.4% to 98.3% for influenza virus A (H3). However, there was little boosting effect with further doses after becoming a seroresponder. The pre-vaccination titres were significantly higher in previous year's seroresponders compared to non-responders.

Conclusions: The policy of annual vaccination is supported by our data in order to increase the disappointing response rate after one dose. However, the lack of a boosting response with subsequent doses and the significant residual immunity after becoming a seroresponder suggests a prior serological immunity check in order to better direct the vaccine supply (in the years of no antigenic drift), to those who need it most.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Family Practice
  • Health Policy
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Infant
  • Influenza Vaccines / immunology*
  • Influenza Vaccines / supply & distribution
  • Influenza Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Influenza, Human / epidemiology*
  • Influenza, Human / prevention & control*
  • Middle Aged
  • Scotland / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Influenza Vaccines