scholarly journals Association between Influenza Vaccination and the Risk of Bell’s Palsy in the Korean Elderly

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 746
Author(s):  
Nayoung Jeong ◽  
Yejee Kim ◽  
Chungjong Kim ◽  
Sangmin Park ◽  
Joongyub Lee ◽  
...  

Previous studies have shown controversial results on the risk of Bell’s palsy after influenza vaccination. Since the antigenic components of influenza vaccine can vary from season to season, continuous safety monitoring is required. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there was an increased risk of Bell’s palsy in the elderly after influenza vaccination between the 2015/2016 and 2017/2018 flu seasons. This study included the elderly who received influenza vaccinations for three flu seasons using a large-linked database of vaccination registration data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the National Health Insurance Service claims data. We used a self-controlled risk interval design with a risk interval of 1 to 42 days and a control interval of 57 to 98 days postvaccination and calculated the incidence rate ratio. To ensure the robustness of the results, sensitivity analyses were also carried out with different risk and control intervals. Of 4,653,440 elderly people who received the influenza vaccine, there was no statistically significant increase in the risk of Bell’s palsy (IRR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.92–1.07). Similar results were found in analysis results for each season and the results of the sensitivity analyses excluding the 2017/2018 season. In conclusion, we found no evidence of an increased risk of Bell’s palsy after influenza vaccination. The results of our study provide reassurance about the safety of the influenza vaccine NIP program. However, it is necessary to continuously monitor the risk of Bell’s palsy during future flu seasons.

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuan-Ying Li ◽  
Mei-Chia Chou ◽  
Renin Chang ◽  
Hei-Tung Yip ◽  
Yao-Min Hung ◽  
...  

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate whether people with a previous human papillomavirus (HPV) infection were associated with an increased risk of Bell's palsy (BP).Methods: By using Taiwan population-based data, patients aged > 18 years with HPV infection (n = 22,260) from 2000 to 2012 were enrolled and compared with control subjects who had never been diagnosed with an HPV infection at a 1:4 ratio matched by sex, age, index date, and co-morbidities (n = 89,040). The index date was the first date of HPV diagnosis. All the patients were tracked until the occurrence of BP. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) for the development of BP in both groups.Results: The HPV group had 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03–1.51] times higher risk of BP compared with the non-HPV group after adjusting for sex, age, and co-morbidities. The association of HPV and BP was significant in the sensitivity analyses. In the subgroup analysis, the impact of HPV infection on the risk of BP was more pronounced in the elderly > 50 years [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) =1.86; 95% CI = 1.37–2.52], hypertension (aHR = 1.65; 95% CI = 1.17–2.31), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (aHR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.333.43) subgroups.Conclusions: Patients with HPV infection have a higher risk of subsequent BP compared with non-HPV patients. More rigorous studies are needed to confirm if and how specific HPV genotypes are associated with BP and the possible role of vaccines in disease prevention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S35-S35
Author(s):  
Joanna Kimball ◽  
Yuwei Zhu ◽  
Dayna Wyatt ◽  
Helen Talbot

Abstract Background Despite influenza vaccination, some patients develop illness and require hospitalization. Many factors contribute to vaccine failure, including mismatch of the vaccine and circulating strains, waning immunity, timing of influenza season, age and patient comorbidities such as immune function. This study compared vaccinated, hospitalized patients with and without influenza. Methods This study used 2015–2019 Tennessee data from the US Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network database. Enrolled patients were ≥ 18 years vaccinated for the current influenza season and admitted with an acute respiratory illness. Patient or surrogate interviews and medical chart abstractions were performed, and influenza vaccinations were confirmed by vaccine providers. Influenza PCR testing was performed in a research lab. Statistical analyses were performed with STATA and R using Pearson’s chi-squared, Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests and multivariate logistic regression. Results 1236 patients met study criteria, and 235 (19%) tested positive for influenza. Demographics, vaccines and comorbidities were similar between the two groups (Table 1) except for morbid obesity, which was more common in influenza negative patients (13% vs 8%, p = 0.04), and immunosuppression, which was more common in the influenza positive (63% vs 54%, p = 0.01). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated older patients (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.03–2.10) and immunosuppressed patients (OR 1.56, 1.15–2.12) were at increased risk for influenza (Table 2 and Figure 1). Immunosuppression also increased the risk for influenza A/H3N2 (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.25–2.75). A sensitivity analysis was performed on patients who self-reported influenza vaccination for the current season without vaccine verification and demonstrated increased risk of influenza in older adults (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.16–2.39). Table 1: Demographics of influenza positive versus influenza negative patients in influenza vaccinated, hospitalized patients. Table 2: Logistic regression analyses of vaccinated, hospitalized influenza positive patients; vaccinated, hospitalized patients with influenza A subtypes and self-reported vaccinated, hospitalized influenza positive patients. Figure 1: Predicted Probability of Hospitalization with Influenza, Influenza A/H1N1 and Influenza A/H3N2 in Vaccinated Patients by Age. Conclusion Our study demonstrated an increased risk of influenza vaccine failure in older patients and immunosuppressed patients. These groups are also at increased risk for influenza complications. To improve protection of these patients against future influenza illnesses, more effective vaccines are needed, and more research on ring vaccination should be pursued. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


PLoS ONE ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. e0188982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-Syue Liou ◽  
Chih-Ya Chang ◽  
Hsuan-Ju Chen ◽  
Chun-Hung Tseng ◽  
Cheng-Yu Chen ◽  
...  

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 661
Author(s):  
Salah T. Al Awaidy ◽  
Zayid K. Al Mayahi ◽  
Malak Kaddoura ◽  
Ozayr Mahomed ◽  
Nathalie Lahoud ◽  
...  

Background: Seasonal influenza infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Healthcare workers (HCWs) are an important target group for vaccination against influenza due to their increased risk of infection and their potential to transmit the infection to their patients, families and communities. The aim of this study was to assess the potential hesitancy and its associated factors towards influenza vaccination amongst HCWs in the South Al Batinah governorate in Oman. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 390 HCWs with direct or indirect patient contact was conducted in May and June 2019 using a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between HCW characteristics and vaccination status were examined using bivariate and multivariate analyses to identify the likelihood of vaccination against seasonal influenza among HCWs. Results: Overall, 60% of HCWs were vaccinated in the 2018/2019 season; vaccine uptake among nurses was 52% and uptake was higher among women. Self-protection and protection of the community were the most cited reasons for vaccine acceptance, with side effects being the main reason for hesitancy. Vaccinated respondents had a higher mean knowledge score (7.18; standard deviation SD: 2.14) than unvaccinated respondents (6.30; SD: 2.2). Odds of vaccination were highest among respondents who believed influenza vaccine should be mandatory for HCWs (Odds ratio (OR): 2.04 [1.30–3.18]), those working in the general medicine, emergency medicine, or intensive care units (OR: 1.92 [1.20–3.10]), nurses and doctors (OR: 1.75 [1.09–2.79]) and those who believe that HCWs should receive an influenza vaccine (OR: 1.35 [1.07–2.77]). Conclusions: The study provides valuable insights into the enablers and barriers of influenza vaccination practices among HCWs and may inform interventions to increase acceptance of vaccination.


Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongguo Rong ◽  
Xiaozhen Lai ◽  
Xiaochen Ma ◽  
Zhiyuan Hou ◽  
Shunping Li ◽  
...  

Seasonal influenza vaccination for healthcare workers (HCWs) is critical to the protection of HCWs and their patients. This study examined whether the separation of public health workers and general practitioners could affect the influenza vaccine uptake and recommendation behaviors among HCWs in China. A survey was conducted from August to October 2019, and HCWs from 10 provinces in China were recruited. A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was used to assess HCWs’ demographic information, knowledge, and attitudes toward influenza vaccination, as well as vaccine uptake and recommendation behaviors. The primary outcome was HCWs’ vaccination and recommendation status of seasonal influenza vaccine. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify the influence factors of influenza vaccine uptake and recommendation among HCWs. Of the 1159 HCWs in this study, 25.3% were vaccinated against influenza in the previous season. “No need to get vaccinated” was the primary reason for both unvaccinated public health workers and general practitioners. Multivariate logistic regression showed that public health workers were more likely to get vaccinated against influenza (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.59–3.05) and recommend influenza vaccination to children (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.57–2.80) and the elderly (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.26–2.25) than general practitioners. Besides, the knowledge and perceived risk of influenza can give rise to HCWs’ vaccination and recommendation behaviors, and HCWs who got vaccinated in the past year were more likely to recommend it to children and the elderly in their work. The influenza vaccine coverage and recommendation among HCWs are still relatively low in China, especially for general practitioners. Further efforts are needed to improve the knowledge and attitudes toward influenza and influenza vaccination among HCWs, and coherent training on immunization for both public health workers and general practitioners might be effective in the face of separated public health and clinical services in China.


Vaccine ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 2839-2841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Hsiu Chou ◽  
Wen-Ping Liou ◽  
Kun-I Hu ◽  
Ching-Hui Loh ◽  
Chih-Chieh Chou ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 137 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simonetta Monini ◽  
Antonella Buffoni ◽  
Martina Romeo ◽  
Mario Di Traglia ◽  
Chiara Filippi ◽  
...  

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Kinga Izabela Stańczak-Mrozek ◽  
Adam Sobczak ◽  
Leszek Lipiński ◽  
Elżbieta Sienkiewicz ◽  
Dorota Makarewicz ◽  
...  

In this study, we used publicly available data from the Centrum e-Zdrowia (CeZ) Polish Databank proposing a possible correlation between influenza vaccination and mortality due to COVID-19. We limited our search to the patients with positive COVID‑19 laboratory tests from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2021 and who filled a prescription for any influenza vaccine during the 2019–2020 influenza season. In total, we included 116,277 patients and used a generalized linear model to analyze the data. We found out that patients aged 60+ who received an influenza vaccination have a lower probability of death caused by COVID-19 in comparison to unvaccinated, and the magnitude of this difference grows with age. For people below 60 years old, we did not observe an influence of the vaccination. Our results suggest a potential protective effect of the influenza vaccine on COVID-19 mortality of the elderly. Administration of the influenza vaccine before the influenza season would reduce the burden of increased influenza incidence, the risk of influenza and COVID‑19 coinfection and render the essential medical resources accessible to cope with another wave of COVID-19. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a correlation between influenza vaccination and the COVID-19 mortality rate in Poland.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1086-1086
Author(s):  
Margaux Lafaurie ◽  
Bérangère Baricault ◽  
Maryse Lapeyre-Mestre ◽  
Laurent Sailler ◽  
Agnès Sommet ◽  
...  

Introduction: Epidemiological studies suggest a risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) following viral infections, particularly influenza. Conversely, an increased risk of ITP following vaccination has been proven for some vaccines like Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine. However, the risk of ITP induced by influenza vaccine is debated. Two case-controls studies has been conducted, with contradictory results: in the Berlin Case-Control Surveillance Study, an increased risk has been found (odds ratio - OR: 3.8 [95% confidence interval - CI: 1.5- 9.1]. Conversely, the French PGRx study suggested the absence of risk of ITP after influenza vaccination [OR: 0.9; 95% CI: 0.4-2.1]. These studies were limited by the number of ITP patients included (169 and 198, respectively) and other limitations. Therefore, we aimed to assess the risk of ITP induced by influenza vaccine in a nationwide cohort in France. Methods: We conducted a population-based study in France within the FAITH cohort (NCT03429660). This cohort is built within the National Health Database that links sociodemographic, hospital and out-hospital data. The FAITH cohort includes all adult patients with incident ITP in France since 2009. Patients are identified using a validated algorithm combining diagnosis codes and drug exposures (with very high positive predictive values). We included in the present study all patients with incident primary ITP aged ≥65 years at ITP diagnosis (indication of influenza vaccination in the general population in France) between July 2009 and June 2015. We assessed the link between influenza vaccine and ITP onset using two designs: a case-control and a self-controlled case series designs. In the case-control design, ITP cases were matched with four controls from the general population for age, sex and place of residency. Index dates for controls were similar to index dates of their matched cases. Cases and controls were compared for exposure to influenza vaccine in the 6 weeks before the index date using conditional logistic regression models adjusted for exposure to other drugs known as inducers of ITP. In the self-controlled case series study, only vaccinated ITP cases were included. The analysis compared the incidence of ITP within periods of risk (6 weeks following vaccination) to the incidence of ITP within other periods of time. We further excluded the 2 weeks prior to vaccine dispensing from the analysis to address selective survival bias (healthy vaccinee effect). Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) adjusted for seasonality were calculated. Results: We included 3,142 incident primary ITP patients aged ≥65 years matched with 12,528 controls in the case-control study. Overall, 147 cases (4.7%) and 579 controls (4.6%) were vaccinated with influenza vaccine during the 6 weeks prior to the index date (adjusted OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.80-1.23]). In the self-controlled case series study, 1,875 vaccinated ITP cases were included. Among them, 146 (7.8%) patients were diagnosed for ITP during one of the risk periods following vaccination. The adjusted IRR was 0.96 [95 CI%: 0.80-1.17]. Conclusion: This nationwide population-based study using two different designs showed no increased risk of ITP after influenza vaccination. Disclosures Moulis: Novartis pharma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Amgen pharma: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring: Research Funding.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Davidson ◽  
Amitava Banerjee ◽  
Rohini Mathur ◽  
Mary Ramsay ◽  
Liam Smeeth ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTWe used primary and linked secondary healthcare data to investigate the incidence of clinically diagnosed influenza/influenza-like-illness (ILI) by ethnicity in England from 2008-2018. We identified higher incidence rate ratios for influenza/ILI among South Asian (1.70, 95% CI 1.66-1.75), Black (1.48, 1.44-1.53) and Mixed (1.22, 1.15-1.30) groups compared to White ethnicity.People from ethnic minority backgrounds are represented disproportionately among patients with severe COVID-19. Recent research has found people of Black and South Asian ethnicity have increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19-related hospitalization and death, independent of deprivation, occupation, household size, and underlying health conditions(1,2).The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination. By preventing influenza-related hospitalization, vaccination can minimize the risk of hospital-acquired COVID-19 (co-) infection for these individuals and reduce health service pressures, particularly the need for isolation of patients with respiratory symptoms awaiting COVID-19 test results.In the UK, influenza vaccine is routinely recommended for adults aged ≥65 years, or people <65 years with underlying health conditions. These recommendations formed the basis of the original guidance to identify patients at moderate- and high-risk of COVID-19. Influenza vaccine recommendations were expanded for the 2020/21 season to include all adults ≥50 years(3). However, vaccine uptake among clinical risk groups is low, particularly for Black and Mixed Black ethnic groups(4). In addition, people of non-White ethnicity have higher risk of severe outcomes following influenza infection(5,6). It is unclear whether this is driven by the risk of infection or complications, with most research focused on distal outcomes rather than initial infection risk.Here we investigate the incidence of influenza and influenza-like-illness (ILI) by ethnicity from 2008-2018 among people not eligible for routine influenza vaccination, to consider disparities in infection risk.


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