Flu Vaccine Linked To Reduced Illness, Impairment Of Academic Performance Among College Students

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081201162034.htm

Flu Vaccine Linked To Reduced Illness, Impairment Of Academic Performance

Among College Students

ScienceDaily (Dec. 2, 2008) — College students who are vaccinated against

influenza appear less likely to develop flu-like illnesses, require related

health care visits or experience impairments in academic performance during

flu season, according to a new report.

An estimated 9 percent to 20 percent of college and university students

develop illness related to the influenza virus each year, according to

background information in the article. " Some reports of influenza outbreaks

on college and university campuses have documented even higher rates of

illness among the students, " the authors write. " Undoubtedly, influenza is

common among college and university students, and its prevention might have

an important impact on their health and well-being. "

L. Nichol, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., and colleagues at the VA Medical

Center and University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, studied 12,975 students on

two campuses and over four separate flu seasons between 2002 and 2006.

Participants completed an initial questionnaire about demographic and health

characteristics during October, and then monthly follow-up surveys between

November and April regarding influenza-like illnesses and their effects on

daily life. Vaccination status was assessed at the last follow-up survey.

Overall, 30.2 percent of the students were vaccinated, and 24.1 percent

experienced at least one flu-like illness during flu season. Those who were

vaccinated were significantly less likely to develop such an illness than

those who were not vaccinated. " Vaccination was also associated with

significant reductions in influenza-like illness–associated provider visits,

antibiotic use, impaired school performance and numbers of days of missed

class, missed work and illness during the influenza seasons, " the authors

write.

When averaged over all the seasons, flu vaccination was associated with a

reduction of one-half day of illnesses, so that one day of illness was

prevented for every two students who were vaccinated. In addition, for every

17 students vaccinated, one day of missed class was prevented; 11

vaccinations prevented one day of missed work; and six vaccinations

prevented one day spent in bed.

" Current recommendations for the prevention and control of influenza

encourage vaccination for all persons 6 months and older who wish to reduce

their risk of influenza illness. Our findings highlight the kinds of

benefits that could accrue to the nearly 18 million college and university

students in this country if they were vaccinated. "

This was an investigator-initiated study that was supported in part by

unrestricted grants from Aventis Pasteur and MedImmune. Dr. Nichol received

other research funding from or served as a consultant to Sanofi Pasteur,

GlaxoKline, MedImmune, CSL and Novartis.

Journal reference:

Nichol et al. Influenza Vaccination Among College and University Students:

Impact on Influenzalike Illness, Health Care Use, and Impaired School

Performance. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2008; 162 (12):

1113 DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.162.12.1113