Preschool-located influenza vaccination and influenza-like illness surveillance: an Italian pilot experience

Autor: Antonella Amendola, Elisa Borghi, Silvia Bianchi, Maria Gori, Clara Fappani, Lucia Barcellini, Federica Forlanini, Nicolò Garancini, Chiara Nava, Alessandra Mari, Anna Sala, Chiara Gasparini, Emerenziana Ottaviano, Daniela Colzani, Elia Mario Biganzoli, Elisabetta Tanzi, Gian Vincenzo Zuccotti
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2023
Předmět:
Zdroj: Italian Journal of Pediatrics, Vol 49, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2023)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI: 10.1186/s13052-023-01481-0
Popis: Abstract Background We describe the first school-located influenza vaccination campaign with quadrivalent live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) among pre-school children in Italy, coupled with an innovative school-centred influenza-like illnesses (ILIs) surveillance using a self-sampling non-invasive saliva collection method. Methods The pilot study was proposed during the 2021/2022 influenza season to fifteen pre-schools in the Milan municipality. LAIV was offered directly in school to all healthy children without contraindications. ILI differential diagnosis was conducted by real-time RT-PCR for influenza A/B and SARS-CoV-2. Results Five pre-schools were involved in the pilot project and overall, 135 families (31.2%) participated in the study, adhering to both surveillance and vaccination; 59% of families had an immigrant background. No pupil experienced adverse reactions after vaccination. Nineteen saliva samples were collected from sixteen children (11.8%). Six samples (31.6%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2; none was positive for influenza A/B. Conclusions The participation in the immunisation campaign was good, considering possible absences due to COVID-19 pandemic, and the intranasal administration was well tolerated and helped to overcome parental hesitancy. Saliva sampling represented a useful tool to reduce children’s stress and increase parents’ compliance. The high participation of families with an immigrant background suggests that school-based interventions can represent an effective strategy to overcome socioeconomic and cultural barriers.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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