Clinical-epidemiological profile of deaths from influenza with a history of timely vaccination, Mexico 2010-2018

Introduction

Influenza epidemics are of higher risk at the extremes of life and in people with comorbidities. Effective vaccination prevents the occurrence of serious cases and decreases mortality.

Objective

To describe deaths from influenza with a history of timely vaccination, from the 2010 to the 2018 season in Mexico.

Method

Cross-sectional, descriptive study where the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance System database was used.

Results

From 2010 to 2018, 65 vaccinated individuals died from influenza, from which 55% of cases (n = 36) were due to type A (H1N1), 51% (n = 33) were females, median age was 57 years, 21 % (n = 14) did not meet the operational definition of influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory infection, 83% (n = 54) had at least one comorbidity, with the most common being diabetes mellitus and hypertension (32% each); 55% (n = 36) of deaths received antiviral treatment and only 8% (n = 5) had no comorbidities and received treatment with oseltamivir.

Conclusions

Deaths from influenza with timely vaccination represent a very low percentage of the totality. Vaccination against influenza has been a specific prevention strategy that decreases disease burden.

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de las defunciones por influenza con antecedente de vacunación oportuna, México 2010-2018

Introduction

Influenza epidemics are of higher risk at the extremes of life and in people with comorbidities. Effective -vaccination prevents the occurrence of serious cases and decreases mortality.

Objective

To describe deaths from influenza with a history of timely vaccination, from the 2010 to the 2018 season in Mexico.

Method

Cross-sectional, descriptive study where the Influenza Epidemiological Surveillance System database was used.

Results

From 2010 to 2018, 65 vaccinated individuals died from influenza, from which 55% of cases (n = 36) were due to type A (H1N1), 51% (n = 33) were females, median age was 57 years, 21 % (n = 14) did not meet the operational definition of influenza-like illness or severe acute respiratory infection, 83% (n = 54) had at least one comorbidity, with the most common being diabetes mellitus and hypertension (32% each); 55% (n = 36) of deaths received antiviral treatment and only 8% (n = 5) had no comorbidities and received treatment with oseltamivir.

Conclusions

Deaths from influenza with timely vaccination represent a very low percentage of the totality. Vaccination against influenza has been a specific prevention strategy that decreases disease burden.