Title: Flu vaccines available in Italy for the youth population
Abstract:
In recent years, research focused on influenza prevention has led to the development of various vaccine formulations aimed at providing increasingly safe and effective products tailored for different age groups. This initiative seeks to optimize health outcomes, achieve economic savings, and ensure adequate protection for the entire community. The present Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report aims to evaluate the introduction of the live attenuated influenza vaccine, Fluenz Tetra®, for the 2021/2022 season within the Italian population aged between 2 and 18 years. Consequently, this research exclusively examines the currently available vaccines, specifically the quadrivalent vaccines produced in eggs (QIVe) and the quadrivalent vaccine produced in cell culture (QIVc), while the quadrivalent live attenuated vaccine (Q/LAIV) was addressed separately. A critical assessment of the existing scientific evidence has been conducted to provide readers with an overview of immunogenicity, efficacy, effectiveness, and safety data. To this end, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been analysed, and in the absence of such secondary research, studies published since the 2017/2018 season have been evaluated. It is important to note that the recommendations for the 2021/2022 season indicate that vaccination is advised for all individuals aged 6 months and older without contraindications, prioritizing children under 5 years due to their heightened risk of developing severe influenza. Furthermore, the significance of immunizing children aged 6 months to 6 years is emphasized to reduce the circulation of the influenza virus among adults and the elderly. Currently, many regions offer free vaccinations to healthy children and adolescents in close collaboration with general practitioners and paediatricians.
